Do magic mushrooms help in the fight against depression?

Apr 8, 2021

In this article, we will tell you about the psilocybin mushroom - a prolific mushroom that contains hallucinogenic substances.

In studies of specialists, it was noted that in patients with cancer and depression, with a single administration of psilocybin, the level of anxiety decreases. This study was conducted in the United States in two stages, and the results were simply beautiful! The volunteers who took part in the study had deep experiences, but after taking the “magic remedy”, they rethought their lives and made it better. The results of this study can be found in the Journal of Psychopharmacology with comments from thousands of experts supporting this study. After the Vietnam War and the emergence of the hippie movement with their constant drug use, it was very difficult to conduct research, despite the fact that it was of interest to psychiatry. Stephen Ross, director of psychiatry at the Drug Treatment Center in New York, and a participant in the study we are discussing, said that he is very happy about the return of the opportunity to study magic mushrooms.

About half of cancer patients suffer from depression. Unfortunately, antidepressants do not help in this case. If you leave everything as it is, it can lead to deep apathy and even suicide. But using a single dose of psilocybin mushroom, the patient immediately notices a decrease in depression and anxiety, and the effect lasts up to 8 months! Professor Roland Griffiths, from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, did not even expect such results. But the results of the study were similar to those of previous studies with volunteers. These people described their experiences as “reorganized”. Some experts have called it “mystical”, but it is considered an anti-scientific concept.

According to Ross, the brain’s serotonin receptor subtype is activated by psilocybin. In our brain there is a small system with endogenous chemicals, and if you disturb this system, it changes and various states occur, which people used to call something spiritual, religious. At this moment, they feel that they are part of something bigger, they feel connected to the universe. Patients at this point may feel transported to another world, a dimension. Someone says that they remember moments from childhood or moments from life associated with cancer. Doctors warn their patients about this and say that this condition should simply be passed and accepted. The commentators of this journal are two former presidents of the American Psychiatric Association, a former president of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, and a former deputy director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Professor David Nutt, editor of the journal, himself took part in a small trial of psilocybin in people with clinical depression. He himself noted that psychedelic treatments are serious and should be treated appropriately. But the question of the need for further research is also acute. The past study was funded by the institute by the Heffter Research Institute in the United States. Medical doctor George Green notes that the use of psilocybin can replace traditional methods of treatment, and even become much better.