Surprising Health Benefits of Magic Mushrooms

Chronic mental conditions continue to afflict many people around the world. While many patients may turn to conventional remedies, they have multiple side effects and long to deliver positive results. It is in this context that researchers have conducted different studies indicating that psilocybin, a chemical compound in magic mushrooms, maybe the key to treating these conditions. Multiple studies continue to show that psilocybin may be helpful in treating anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, pain, and refractory stress.

Researchers have a significant challenge because psilocybin is a Schedule 1 drug, which means that most governments ban it. However, in recent years, some countries and states in the US have decriminalized the substance. 

The efficacy of psilocybin in treating depression

Serotonin levels are low in people who suffer from depression. Psilocybin binds to 5-HT 2 receptors to mediate antidepressant and anxiety outcomes. At Imperial College, researchers used psilocybin to treat some patients with depression. After administering the test drug, the researchers monitored the patients’ brain activities and concluded that there was a marked reduction in depression. Patients who received the medication expressed their emotions in a variety of ways afterward. While some said they felt “rebooted”, others indicated that they had the feeling of being “defragmented.”

Further research indicates that psilocybin is safe for depressed patients because it does not have side effects like conventional medications. The only adverse effects occur during the initial stages of drug administration because the body is trying to tolerate the drug.

Studies also confirm that psilocybin is helpful in treating bipolar depression. This form of depression occurs on the prefrontal side of the brain. Functional magnetic resonance imaging results show that psilocybin clears the medial prefrontal cortex associated with bipolar depression.

How useful is psilocybin in treating anxiety?

Researchers have accomplished a great deal in treating anxiety problems, discovering medications and behavioral strategies to treat the condition. However, most conventional medications have adverse effects and take a long time to produce results. Because of these problems, scientists believe that more research is needed to discover the best remedies.

Many researchers have recently been interested in determining whether psilocybin, a compound found in penis envy dosage, can be used to relieve anxiety. For example, Goldberg and others conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate several clinical trials investigating the potency of psilocybin in treating anxiety and depression. The analysis focused on four studies that occurred between 2011 and 2018. Many of the participants in these studies struggled with anxiety.

The results of the meta-analysis show that the participants had significant reductions in anxiety after taking psilocybin. The researchers concluded that, although detailed studies are necessary, psilocybin is helpful in treating anxiety.

The promising psilocybin for treating anxiety is especially critical for cancer patients. Many cancer patients experience anxiety in the course of their treatment, leading to poor quality of life. Although patients can use conventional drugs, the remedies have multiple side effects that can make the situation worse. Psilocybin can help cancer patients’ mental well-being when combined with psychotherapy.

The medication works by making the brain more tolerant of new ideas and more sensitive to them. Additionally, psilocybin activates the brain network by eliminating specific receptors that make the brain susceptible to anxiety.

Post-traumatic stress disorder

If a person experiences life-threatening activity, a severe natural disaster, or war, they can develop PTSD. Although it is normal to have such an experience after life-threatening events, it can be challenging to perform daily tasks with the condition.

The use of conventional medications and psychotherapy methods are the two types of care for PTSD patients. Psychotherapy methods work well when used in conjunction with other treatment interventions.

While conventional medications may work well for some patients, some who have had multiple trauma may not respond well to conventional therapies. Evidence from animal models indicates that psilocybin may be an effective remedy in treating patients with PSTD. For example, in 2013, the University of South Florida conducted a study that found that psilocybin improves the growth and repair of brain cells in the hippocampus. Mice with severe fear conditioning were able to overcome it after being given psilocybin.

Psilocybin Pain Management: What the Research Says

Chronic pain reduces the quality of life for many people and exposes them to other life-threatening conditions such as cancer. Several studies indicate that psychedelics are helpful in treating chronic pain. Although its mechanism of action is not precise, researchers believe that psilocybin activates a serotonin receptor, 2A (5-HT 2A), which is responsible for pain. Through the same mechanism, psilocybin enhances the activity of genes that suppress inflammation. The compound acts on multiple parties involved in pain. The prefrontal cortex, the spinal code, and the cortex are among them.

Unlike opioids that have multiple side effects, psilocybin has a safe profile. Therefore, users should not worry about adverse side effects.

Key takeaways

Treatment interventions for chronic diseases are part of conventional drugs. While many people can respond to these medications, they have multiple side effects. Also, some medications may take time to respond. Researchers have been conducting studies on psilocybin, which comes from magic mushrooms, and found that the chemical could treat a number of chronic conditions, particularly those that affect the brain. From chronic depression to a post-traumatic stress disorder, psilocybin has the potential to treat multiple illnesses.