Inhaltsverzeichnis
- What Are Shrooms (Magic Mushrooms)?
- Who Is Using Psilocybin?
- Reducing the risks of using mushrooms recreationally
Dose and effects can vary considerably depending upon mushroom type, method of preparation, and tolerance of the individual. It can be difficult to determine the exact species of mushroom or how much hallucinogen each mushroom contains. Initial smaller doses and a longer period of time to determine the effects may be a safer option if you choose to use psilocybin for recreational purposes. Psilocybin is a psychoactive prodrug that is found primarily in so-called “magic” mushrooms of the Psilocybe genus. In the body, it converts to psilocin, which has psychedelic properties similar to those of LSD and mescaline.
To date, several studies have supported the idea that psilocybin and other psychedelics can induce or increase neuroplasticity. Psilocybin has also shown positive results in smoking cessation and anorexia nervosa treatment studies. In October 2021, the National Institute of Health awarded Johns Hopkins a grant to explore the potential value of psilocybin as a smoking cessation tool — the first federal grant given in 50 years for the study of a psychedelic treatment in the U.S.
In Mesoamerica, the mushrooms had long been consumed in spiritual and divinatory ceremonies before Spanish chroniclers first documented their use in the sixteenth century. In 1958, the Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann isolated psilocybin and psilocin from the mushroom Psilocybe mexicana. Hofmann's employer Sandoz marketed and sold pure psilocybin to physicians and clinicians worldwide for use in psychedelic therapy. Daily levels of physical activity constitute a proxy of the potential effects of microdosing on mood and well-being.
Many cultures have been using psychoactive plants for thousands of years to treat and diagnose medical ailments [1]. Evidence of the use of mescaline, a serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A (5HT-2A) receptor agonist similar to psilocybin, has been recovered by archeologists in Texas and radiocarbon dated to 5700 years ago [2]. The ability of psychoactive plants to produce both spiritual and medicinal effects has placed them in a unique category among many societies. Throughout their history, they have been considered both holy and immoral, revered and criminalized. The legality of and public opinion on these compounds have fluctuated; however, the compounds themselves have largely remained the same.
Psilocybin, an indolealkylamine and tryptamine, is the main active ingredient of the group of fungi known as “magic mushrooms.” Psilocybin is a prodrug, that is, a substance that is metabolized after administration to become pharmacologically active as psilocin. When given orally, psilocybin is almost entirely transformed into psilocin during first-pass liver metabolism. Intravenous administration requires conversion of psilocybin to psilocin in the kidneys, a process that may be less efficient (Hasler, Bourquin, Brenneisen, Bar, & Vollenweider, 1997; Passie, Seifert, Schneider, & Emrich, 2002).
- Physical effects may occur, including nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, and lack of coordination.
- If FDA-approved, psilocybin would have to be reclassified by the DEA for it to be available for patients; it is currently classified as a Schedule I drug.
- The psychedelic is, therefore, able to activate 5HT receptors as mentioned, ultimately leading to their downregulation [4].
- Ancient shamans used divine mushrooms for the induction of visions and trance states, which enabled individuals to transform their thoughts and to get a new view of the disease (Metzner, 2005).
Like the peyote, hallucinogenic mushrooms have been used in native rites for centuries. But people can experience long-term changes in personality and flashbacks long after taking the drug. The amount of psilocybin and psilocin contained in any given magic mushroom is unknown, and mushrooms vary greatly in terms of the amount of psychoactive contents. This means that it is very hard to tell the length, intensity, and type of "trip" someone will experience. These studies, along with others, illuminate a growing body of evidence that psychedelic compounds cause positive personality modification. It was found that healthy participants benefit from the use of these compounds, as well as participants with preexisting cognitive conditions.
What Are Shrooms (Magic Mushrooms)?
Carhart-Harris and Nutt (2010) conducted an online survey of 626 participants from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and a number of other countries. The respondents were recruited by advertisements on websites focusing on general drug use, hallucinogen use in particular, and music/dance festivals. In the early 20th century, psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) became an intriguing new topic to study among medical professionals in psychiatry.
Early experiments on psychedelics were performed in sterile laboratory rooms with minimal interaction with the patient in an attempt to control for variables. These experiments often had poor outcomes due to the elicitation of psychologically challenging situations brought on in part by the environment. Recent experiments have built upon these past models and modified the environment to provide a more suitable setting. The creation of an ideal set and setting is subject to ongoing research and may change from patient to patient and also as researchers continue to learn more about the best practices for administration. It is not fully understood how psilocybin achieves these results; however, it is proposed that the consciousness-altering properties are partly responsible due to the correlation between larger doses and more substantial outcomes.
However, dosages may vary because psilocybin concentrations differ widely according to the genus, strength, and condition (fresh or dried) of the mushrooms. Psilocybin and psilocin are chemical compounds obtained from certain types of dried or fresh hallucinogenic mushrooms found in Mexico, Central America and the United States. Ritual use of teonanácatl (indigenous name for psilocybin mushrooms) by some indigenous tribes of Latin America is a conventional practice even today (Metzner, 2005).
Who Is Using Psilocybin?
It will be prudent to continue to research and understand the supporting measures that lead to the most effective outcomes. Using the GRID-Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (GRID-HAMD), researchers were able to compare the effects of psilocybin on the immediate treatment group compared with that of the delayed group, with the higher score indicating more severe depression. They found that while the delayed treatment group’s scores did not change significantly within the first 11 weeks, the immediate treatment group’s scores dropped significantly following the psilocybin therapy, measured in week 5.
The most potent species in the world is considered Psilocybe azurescens, which is found mainly in the U.S. Psilocybin and psilocin primarily interact with serotonin receptors in the brain and have an incredibly high affinity for the 5-HT (serotonin) 2A subtype receptors. These brain hubs help integrate sensory experiences, which could explain altered senses and “mystical-like” hallucinatory effects during mushroom trips. When taken under supported conditions, psilocybin can cause self-described “spiritual” experiences that generally result in positive changes in the person’s attitude, mood and behavior. In particular, psilocybin appears to elevate a personality quality known as “openness,” which encompasses sensitivity, imagination, and an appreciation for the values and viewpoints of others. When tested via urine, the psilocybin mushroom metabolite psilocin can stay in your system for up to 3 days.
Symptoms of mushroom poisoning may include muscle spasms, confusion, and delirium. One study examined the ability of psilocybin to reduce depression symptoms without dulling emotions. Results indicated that psilocybin may be successful in treating depression with psychological support.
In a follow-up study, different functional connectivity patterns were explored, suggesting that psilocybin increases brain connectivity overall when compared to placebo (Tagliazucchi et al., 2014). The psychedelic state is characterized by higher connectivity, defined by the appearance of several low stability, transient structures and a few persistent ones that were not observed with placebo (Petri et al., 2014). In a reanalysis of the same data, changes in resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) between different resting-state networks (RSN) were measured. Data following exposure to psilocybin were compared to data following MDMA exposure.
Additional studies with psilocybin are expected, and one is comparing the chemical against a leading traditional antidepressant. In many studies, psilocybin is used as a single dose treatment, with long-term effects. At the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, researchers are focusing on how psychedelics affect behavior, mood, cognition, brain function, and biological markers of health. This research group was the first to obtain U.S. regulatory approval to continue research with psychedelics in healthy volunteers. However, psilocybin is a Schedule I substance under federal law in the DEA's Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
The neuropsychological effects of psilocin appear to be mediated by stimulation of serotonergic receptors, namely, subtypes 5HT2A, 5HT2C, and 5HT1C. Psilocybin is well tolerated and safe for human studies at oral doses of 8–25 mg and intravenous https://rejuvyn.com/product/4-day-private-psilocybin-retreat/ doses of 1–2 mg (Passie et al., 2002; Shulgin, 1980; Tylš, Páleníček, & Horáček, 2014). Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that psilocybin was an effective treatment for depression and nicotine and alcohol addictions, as well as other substance use disorders. Studies have also shown that magic mushrooms were effective for relieving the emotional distress of people with life-threatening cancer diagnoses.
Psilocybin mushrooms are illegal in the United States because they contain the Schedule I drugs psilocybin and psilocin. The hallucinogenic and sympathomimetic properties of this agent can last for up to 6 hours. At lower doses (0.5–2.5 g), the user can experience cold chills, closed eye hallucinations, gas, and stomach cramps. Shrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. Some research suggests this substance may help relieve symptoms of some mental health conditions. However, shrooms are illegal in most places and carry risks that people should recognize.