Psilocybin and magic mushrooms are two of the most popular psychedelics in modern medicine lately. They have been shown to induce profound changes in perception, mood, and behavior.
They are also believed to have therapeutic effects for depression, anxiety, addiction, and PTSD.
In the US, magic mushrooms and psilocybin are controlled substances; the same goes for Canada. But our friends in the north enjoy magic mushroom delivery across Canada.
This shows how these substances’ status is progressing and hopefully legalized so everyone who needs them can benefit from them.
This article will discuss five ways psilocybin and magic mushrooms benefit your health.
#1. Reduce Anxiety
Anxiety disorders affect approximately 40 million Americans. Many patients suffering from anxiety find relief using psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin. Anxiety can be crippling, and most commonly, pharmaceuticals such as benzodiazepines are used, leading to high levels of addiction. Psilocybin has been shown to reduce addiction in the right doses.
Studies suggest that these substances may help alleviate symptoms associated with anxiety. For example, one study found that psilocybin reduced anxiety levels in terminally ill cancer patients. Another study showed that psilocybin helped ease anxiety in patients with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder.
#2. Improve Mood
Depression affects nearly 20 percent of adults in the United States. Studies indicate that psilocybin has been shown to improve mood in depressed individuals. One study found that psilocin improved depressive symptoms in patients with treatment-refractory major depression. Another study found that psilocybin increased positive emotions and decreased negative emotions in depressed participants.
A recent study published in The Journal of Psychopharmacology found that a single dose of psilocybin produced significant decreases in anxiety, depression, and stress in healthy volunteers. A second study found that two doses of psilocybin significantly reduced anxiety and depression in people with life-threatening cancer diagnoses.
Another study by John Hopkins showed that using psilocybin will provide a life-changing experience with substantial and sustained personal meaning and significance, which makes individuals feel better about themselves and how they treat others around them.
#3. Relieve Addiction
Addiction is an extremely common problem among American citizens. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, over 28 million Americans suffer from substance abuse problems.
Many drug addicts seek treatment for their addictions. However, studies show that psychedelic drugs may provide effective treatments for addiction.
In the 1960s and 1970s, researchers began studying psychedelics’ effects on people with mental health problems. These studies found that these drugs could be used to treat many conditions, including substance abuse.
A recent study found that psilocybin helped treat alcohol dependence. It can also be used to assist in quitting smoking. Another study found that LSD was effective in treating cocaine dependency. The use of psychedelics is not without controversy. Some believe they are dangerous or addictive; others believe they can be used to help people who suffer from mental illness.
#4. Treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder is characterized by recurring nightmares, flashbacks, panic attacks, and hypervigilance.
Some researchers believe that psilocybin may be useful in treating PTSD. One study found that subjects taking psilocybin had fewer intrusive thoughts than those receiving placebo. Another study found that participants reported significant reductions in anxiety after ingesting psilocybin. This same study also found that psilocybin treated depression in veterans with PTSD.
Furthermore, several studies have shown the effectiveness of MDMA (ecstasy) in helping people with PTSD and other mental health issues.
#5. Help With Depression
Depression is a very serious medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Some research indicates that psilocybin helps relieve depression.
One study found that psilocybin helped reduce depression in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Another study found similar results in patients with mild to moderate depression.
These findings were supported by another study that found that psilocybe did not cause any adverse side effects in patients with treatment-refractory depression.
A few studies have shown that psilocybin can help treat anxiety disorders such as social phobia (social anxiety disorder). Reducing anxiety is a critical element of controlling depression. However, these studies are small and more research is needed before we know if this is true.
Psilocybin and Magic Mushrooms May Be Effective Treatment Options for Mental Illness
Although there are many unanswered questions about psilocybin and its potential benefits, these studies demonstrate that psilocybin and related compounds could potentially be used to treat mental illness.
The Beckley Foundation in England conducted the first study and published it in Psychopharmacology Journal (Barrett et al., 2011). The researchers administered a single dose of psilocybin to 20 healthy volunteers who were given questionnaires before and after their session. They found that participants reported significant decreases in anxiety and depression and increases in a positive mood. So why shouldn’t we use these magical tools?
So what do you think? Do you think psilocybin and/or magic mushrooms should be part of mainstream medicine? Let us know in the comments section below.
