There’s no quick fix for depression, but did you know researchers are looking into psychedelic mushrooms for potential treatment?
Some enthusiasts believe that the substance has a positive impact on the mind, and they might be right. Even though psilocybin (the compound in magic mushrooms) has no currently accepted medical value, this stance may change in the future.
There are still a lot of people who don’t know about psilocybin therapy. Researchers are determined to make a breakthrough. Evidence suggesting that the drug may improve depression is still minimal, but the outlook appears positive.
Even if researchers can find new knowledge regarding the benefits of shrooms, there may still be several disadvantages to look out for.
Are you ready to learn more about these great studies?
Let’s begin.
While studies are limited, psychedelic mushrooms do create a mental experience when ingested. The chemical compound psilocybin causes a psychoactive high and enhances the connections between the different regions of the brain.
Some studies suggest that this may result in a reduction in depression for some users. The concept is that by consuming the substance, individuals with the condition won’t hold onto the same rigid thoughts.
The introduction of psilocybin doesn’t only induce a shroom high, but researchers believe it may loosen up tightly woven thinking patterns.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Canada aims to conduct a thorough study regarding psilocybin’s potential therapeutic benefits. Researchers will run it over three years and analyze the results.
To offset the psychedelic effects, researchers plan to administer a serotonin blocker. Clinical trials show that psychedelic mushrooms positively impact individuals with depression, especially those with resistance to alternative treatment options.
In these trials, patients will also receive intense psychotherapy, and the combination of the two might be what does the trick. The objective of this research is to determine if it’s possible for psilocybin to alleviate depression without the mushroom high.
Several factors remain unclear, for example, how long the changes in brain activity last. The CAMH study hopes to answer some of the most pressing questions.
While we wait for further clarification from the study, let’s assess the pros and cons of what we already know about the substance.
Some users may claim that the best thing about psilocybin is the shroom high, but there’s much more to this mysterious fungi. Since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for a trial for treatment-resistant depression, various findings have come to the fore.
One study led by Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris yielded results that led him to claim that the psychoactive drug had similar results to electroconvulsive therapy.
He conducted the research at the Imperial College London in the UK. It was the first study of its kind.
His research suggests that psychedelic mushrooms may jolt the brain out of depression. In the case of these studies, prior failed treatments for the illness included:
Researchers aimed to see if the controlled drug could be used as a long-lasting treatment option. Current anecdotal evidence suggests that it may be possible. Findings showed that patients felt reduced symptoms for an extended period.
This feasibility trial involved 12 participants who reacted positively to the psychedelic mushrooms. The effects were fast acting, and patients could feel changes almost immediately.
Treatment occurred in conjunction with supportive therapy. The results revealed that roughly half of the individuals had reduced symptoms three months later.
Another benefit derived from this study is that patients still had a complete grasp of their feelings. Unlike alternative methods, with psychedelic mushrooms, there was no dull or numbing of emotions.
There were also much fewer other side effects that are typically associated with antidepressants. These included a reduction in:
Some of the patients even expressed that they felt like a reset had occurred in their brains.
The main problem with using this controlled drug is that it’s currently illegal. The perceived risks of misuse and patients experiencing a shroom high are too risky.
Some believe the psychoactive experience may leave the user with specific unpleasant effects, including:
Experts know too little about the substance to permit individuals to use it without the guidance of a mental health professional. A negative experience with psychedelic mushrooms could affect the user for a long time.
Research is limited to small controlled studies, and there’s no telling what the results would be in larger groups. Further studies are required to see if researchers can limit the psychoactive component while utilizing the beneficial properties.
There are also rival treatments that may gain popularity, rendering psilocybin less viable. An example is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). This therapy is quick, legal, and covered by some health insurance.
Who would have thought that the recreational drug that some people use to induce a mushroom high might help depression?
The studies are intriguing, and the potential benefits for individuals with depression are exciting. While anecdotal studies are positive, many await the results from the CAMH research.
While waiting for the anticipated findings, why not do your own research on the clinical trials?
It’s also a good idea to find out more about the spores that produce these mysterious mushrooms. Why not study them for yourself by grabbing some from our online store.
Enter your email below to sign up to receive product updates, bi-monthly news, and weekly articles.