Research Finds: Compound Founded In Haullucigentic Mushrooms
Known As "PSILOCYBIN" Could Help Treat Depression
- The naturally occurring psychedelic compound psilocybin can significantly decline symptoms of depression, according to the data from the largest trial of its type that has ever been conducted.
- The research has found the mushroom compound to be effective against hard-to-treat depression and larger trials will now take place.
Psilocybin was administered to 233 patients who had tried at least two different types of antidepressants in the past with little to no success, a recommendation for the compound may have tremendous benefits for those suffering from intractable depression. After partaking in the psilocybin, patients entered a "sleep-like gait" some even said "dream-like" state for about four to six hours. Afterward, patients left the clinic as soon as their intractable depression symptoms tremendously reduced their normal mental functioning state of mind.
Amazingly, the study had founded that a 25 mg dose of psilocybin, along with psychological support, resulted in a great reduction in depression in only just three weeks after treatment! To some, this news sounds like a dream come true! Around 100 million people worldwide suffer depression that is resistant to treatment, and so the findings of the study are a step in the right direction. Researchers have stated magic mushrooms tended to depressed patients helping them reconnect with their emotions. Contrasting the effect with antidepressants, which have relieved depression by numbing your emotions. Patients who use antidepressants have said the medication had helped reduce low moods but also directed positive moods which have resulted in the patients feeling numb or extremely anxious.
“Our task now is to investigate psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression in larger trials with more participants, comparing it both to placebo and established treatments,” - James Rucker
James Rucker - Consultant Psychiatrist and Senior Clinical Lecturer at King’s College London, who was involved in this study.
The substances were carefully administered in doses of 1mg, 10mg, and 25mg, and adverse effects were recorded across all groups including, headaches, nausea, and thoughts around suicide or inflicting harm on others. The nature of psilocybin’s effects and its short-term use means there are few side effects. Magic mushrooms lack the side effects of various antidepressant medications, which often include:
- Increased Appetite and Weight Gain
- Loss of Sexual Desires or Functioning (erectile dysfunction, decreased orgasm, etc.)
- Fatigue and Drowsiness
- Dry Mouth
- Blurred Vision
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
- Indigestion and Stomach Pain
- Diarrhea or Constipation
Taking this into huge consideration critics have had no hesitation in expressing great concern that this could lead to a rise in the usage of magic mushrooms in non-pharmaceutical settings. There are also other things to take into consideration in the misuse of the substance, even so, it seems as if there will always be some sort of downfall with a percentage of individuals that will take advantage of the side effects of substances. Below are some other considerations to not overlook:
- Limited Options
Magic mushrooms are banned in the US, even for clinical use, so patients with depression cannot receive the treatment described in the above studies unless they sign up for new experiments
- Disturbing Experiences
Researchers warn against using hallucinogenic mushrooms for self-medication This comes with some risks that could be difficult for our mental state or comprehension, a few other examples:
- Paranoia or Confusion
- Slowed Sense of Time
- Loss of Coordination
- Frightening Hallucinations (Auditory and Visual)
- Derealization or Feeling of Detachment (A Psychological Symptom in which the world appears to be unreal, and the patient has a sense of detachment from their surroundings)
- Psychedelic Psychosis or Reality Break
Psychedelic psychosis occurs when you are not able to distinguish your hallucinations or irrational thoughts from reality. Psychedelic-induced psychosis is a real thing! Take note, reading one individual's account of their break-down with reality can be enough to give pause and reconsider if it's really the risk. Even though it may not be very common, it could be enough to wreak havoc on anyone's mind or grip on reality, especially if they are not prepared for the consequences.
IMPORTANT: When you don’t have a trained mental health professional to guide you through a difficult experience or process it after, it could be unsettling in the long term!
In Conclusion, Psilocybin from magic mushrooms supposedly helps people with mental health conditions such as depression. The drugs are thought to help people access their subconscious mind so that they can address the underlying causes of their mental health issues. However, The results have addressed that the research setting requires an appropriate level of training and structured support from trained clinicians and therapists, and people should not attempt this alone!
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