Get ready to say goodbye to your therapist and hello to your friendly, neighborhood mushroom dealer! We’re kidding, of course, but that reality might be closer than expected. The future of psychedelic use in therapy is promising. Research on the impact of psychedelic-assisted therapy is changing the stigma about psychedelics (and therapy) across the board.
In the last twenty years, research has take-off in the realm of psychedelic therapy. Psilocybin, the psychoactive component in magic mushrooms, has gained particular attention for its ability to alter the individual’s perception and rewire the brain. Magic mushroom-assisted therapy has been effective in the treatment of chronic and treatment-resistant conditions in patients.
With that being said, you’re definitely going to want a well-trained clinician by your side if you’re going to explore the depths of your psyche for therapeutic purposes.
In this article we will take a look at magic mushroom therapy, how it works, where it’s going, and what this means for the future of magic mushrooms both in and out of a clinical setting.
For those who continue to be afflicted by conditions such as depression, PTSD, and substance abuse disorders, psychedelic drugs have offered a promising new approach.
A brief history of magic mushrooms in clinical settings
Humans have long been exploiting the effects of psychedelic substances. Psychedelic fungi–or, more specifically its psychoactive component Psilocybin– have been the agent of choice for religious and spiritual ceremonies for thousands of years.
It wasn’t until recently, however, that scientists began to take the healing properties of psychedelic mushrooms seriously. Alongside the rise of the counterculture in the 1960s, researchers began to study the therapeutic potential of psychedelics in a clinical setting. Unfortunately, the hippie movement resulted in some negative stigmatization of psychedelics, and, as a result, the U.S. government rescheduled psychedelics to a Schedule 1 drug in the 1970s.
34 years later, a study from the University of California, Los Angeles reignited interest in the potential of psilocybin treatment. This new age of exploration has since seen significant advances in its use in clinical treatment.
What is the science behind psychedelic-assisted therapy?
Psychedelics work by altering the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Psilocybin is particularly effective at stimulating the growth of new neural pathways to rewire the brain far beyond the acute impacts of medication and other therapies.
Magic mushrooms belong to a class of drugs known as serotonergic hallucinogens. This is just a fancy way to say that its psychoactive compound–psilocybin–interacts with the serotonin system of the brain. If you don’t have a degree in neurobiology–hang tight.
Serotonin is a brain chemical necessary for helping the body maintain regular function. It is sometimes referred to as the “happy hormone” due to the role it plays in mood and emotion. The serotonin system is made up of neurotransmitters (which house the serotonin molecules) and neurotransmitter receptors. Imagine serotonin as the key and the receptor as the lock.
There are many types of serotonin receptors. When a serotonin molecule binds to a receptor it triggers a response. Depending on the type of receptor the serotonin molecule binds to, specific responses will be elicited. Responses can mediate emotions, impact memory, suppress appetite, and so on.
When you ingest magic mushrooms, the molecule Psilocybin is able to interact–or, “unlock”–certain serotonin receptors. Think of it as the master key to serotonin receptors that mediate our fear response, actions, and emotional memory.
This can allow patients to interact with memories and emotions that may be trapped beneath their psyche. What is unique about psilocybin is that its impact on the amygdala–the part of our brain that regulates our fear response–functions in a way that allows patients to interact with those intense or painful emotions at a distance.
From there, psilocybin works to disintegrate the associative neural networks of embodied trauma and rebuild those neural pathways in a way that does not elicit a traumatic or dissociative response.
In this way, psilocybin can help patients rewrite both their somatic and nonphysical narratives, allowing for greater, long-lasting healing. At this point, we should state that this is a very paired-down version of what is a complex system of neurochemical interactions. Research is still ongoing and the full effects of psychedelics are not completely known.
How psilocybin works in psychedelic-assisted therapy
Psychedelic-assisted therapy is a relatively new form of treatment, so its use from clinical settings to clinical settings may vary slightly between practitioners. However, it is so far standard practice for psychedelics to be used in conjunction with talk therapy.
The therapy is always conducted in a controlled and supervised environment, which helps patients feel more comfortable, and helps them “drop in.” The process of psilocybin-assisted therapy typically involves multiple stages. At this point, there will be some minor variations, but we’ll give you a basic overview to give you the idea.
The first stage is a thorough screening process to ensure that the patient is a suitable candidate for this therapy. In general, the individuals who will most benefit from magic mushroom therapy will be those with treatment-resistant psychiatric ailments.
Beyond that, a patient must be in good physical health, have a history of stable mental health, and have a strong desire to discover the underlying causes of their mental health condition.
Once the patient is cleared for treatment, the therapy will extend over several sessions. The number of sessions will vary from patient to patient. During each session, the patient is given a controlled dose of psilocybin, typically in the form of a capsule or pill.
As the psilocybin begins to kick in, the patient will be guided through a series of relaxation techniques. This can involve music, yoga, lying down, or any other relaxing activity.
If you have experienced the effects of psilocybin before, you know that mushrooms generally begin to kick in between 30 and 60 minutes after ingestion. Depending on the dosage and psychological state of the patient, effects can last for several hours at varying intensities.
During this time, a patient may experience a range of physical and psychological sensations, including visual hallucinations, changes in perception, and altered states of consciousness. The therapist will help the patient navigate these experiences, providing reassurance and guidance as needed.
After the session is over, the patient typically spends some time resting and reflecting on the experience, either alone or with the help of the therapist or guide. In some cases, the patient may be given additional sessions, depending on the severity of their condition and the response to the treatment.
The benefits of magic mushrooms in treating chronic mental health conditions
Psychotherapy has unequivocally been designated as the first line of treatment for many psychological conditions. Yet, for those who continue to be afflicted by conditions such as depression, PTSD, and substance abuse disorders, psychedelic drugs have offered a promising new approach.
Depression: psychedelic-assisted therapy has shown promise for individuals suffering from treatment-resistant depression. Specifically, one study, showed that 80% of patients who received psilocybin-assisted therapy experienced a significant reduction in depressive symptoms, of those patients, 60% were in remission three months after treatment.
Anxiety: Psychedelic-assisted therapy has also been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. When studying patients with terminal-cancer diagnoses, psilocybin-therapy was shown to ease participants’ anxiety.
PTSD: The processing of traumatic memories is often an emotionally challenging experience for PTSD patients. Several studies have shown that classical psychedelics (mushrooms, LSD, and Ketamine) have been successful in promoting neural plasticity and neurogenesis—both important components of dealing with and healing trauma.
OCD: Obsessive-Compulsive disorder can be debilitating. In a study done by the University of Arizona, research saw an acute reduction of core OCD symptoms in several participants. The impacts of the psilocybin therapy lasted past the 24-hour mark for most participants.
Addiction: Magic mushroom-assisted therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for substance use disorders. In one study, 80% of smokers who received psilocybin-assisted therapy could quit smoking after six months.
While the full effects of magic mushrooms and other psychedelics on the brain are still unknown, research has repeatedly shown that magic mushrooms have a high potential to be an incredibly effective tool in treating a wide variety of psychiatric disorders. As the body of research continues to grow, it may be that its implications grow with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most people researching the science behind magic mushroom spore germination ask the following questions. We have provided an answer for each:
A spore print refers to the spores released from a mature mushroom’s cap. It is a popular method for collecting and storing spores for future use, such as cultivation.
The time in which mushroom spores germinate varies depending on temperature and humidity. Generally, they can take a few days to several weeks to grow and develop mycelium.
Mushroom spores ideally germinate in temperatures of 21 to 27°C. However, different species may have slightly different optimal temperature ranges. It is essential to research the specific species you’re working with.
You can use tap water for spore germination though experts recommend distilled or sterile water to minimize contamination risk. Tap water can contain impurities and bacteria that can negatively affect germination.
Light is not a requirement for magic mushroom spore germination, as the spores do not require it to initiate the process. However, light can stimulate mycelium growth after the mushroom spores germinate. In this case, you should use low-intensity white or blue light.
While magic mushrooms have a rich cultural history and potential therapeutic benefits, their use should only be considered in a legal and responsible context. You should understand the science behind their spore germination.
For research purposes, Shaman Mushroom Spores is a reputable vendor for psilocybin mushroom spore research solutions. Our premium research solution product is a 10mL syringe full of species-specific research solutions. It can help researchers advance their understanding of magic mushroom spore germination.
With the proper knowledge and techniques, anyone can germinate mushroom spores and start their mycological journey.
Psychedelic therapy is a great idea in theory, but let’s face it, the legality of magic mushrooms is about as clear as trippers’ vision. Especially in the United States, federal and state laws have made navigating the world of psychedelics a precarious maze.
The legality of magic mushrooms and psychedelic-assisted therapy varies depending on the country and region. In many countries, including the United States, Mushrooms are federally classified as Schedule I controlled substances. This means that they are illegal to possess, use, or sell. In other countries, such as in Austria, magic mushrooms are legal to possess and sell in certain circumstances.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to legalize or decriminalize natural psychedelics, especially for use in therapeutic treatment. In 2020, Oregon became the first state to legalize psilocybin for therapeutic use. California and Colorado hopped on the psychedelic train by decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of psilocybin.
How mushrooms have paved the way for other forms of psychedelic therapy
The studies conducted with magic mushrooms in the early 50s and 60s were instrumental in paving the way for modern-era psychedelic research. Since 2004, Psychedelic mushroom research has garnered both federal and private financial support. The findings from this research have motivated research into other forms of psychedelic therapy.
Furthermore, the groundbreaking research conducted has helped to shift public perception of psychedelics from dangerous drugs to potential medication. As a result, more research is able to be conducted to explore the use of psychedelics. Currently, other psychedelic substances such as ketamine, LSD, MDMA (ecstasy), and cannabinoids are being researched alongside mushrooms as potential treatments for a wide range of mental health disorders.
The future of mushroom assisted therapy
The use of psychedelics to treat mental health has been gaining significant traction in recent years. The research seems to have gone from zero to 100 overnight. It’s almost as if social stigma has been preventing researchers from doing their job and they’ve finally been given the federal go-ahead to follow their well-researched hunches.
What has been found is consistently promising clinical trials. This has led to increasing public interest and is a driving factor in the rapid prevalence of magic mushroom legalization around the world. As more research is conducted and more patients receive psilocybin-assisted therapy, the potential applications for these substances are likely to expand, and so will the legal landscape. Already, numerous countries have added psychedelics to their list of legal drugs. Several cities and states in the U.S. have decriminalized the possession and use of psilocybin. Social and economic pressures will likely lead to efforts of rescheduling the drug at a federal level.
Without a doubt, the future of psychedelic therapy holds the potential to revolutionize the field of mental health treatment itself. Its exploration will undoubtedly provide much-needed relief for patients struggling with chronic psychological ailments. The future of psychedelic therapy is bright.
