Psychedelic mushrooms are known for their ability
to alter states of mind to create mystical experiences. More recently, it’s
become more public that mushrooms have helped a number of people with a variety
of conditions and symptoms.
Psilocybin, the psychoactive part of these
mushrooms, has had some profound effects and there is much hope about the ways
it can heal.
Dr. Rosalind
Watts, clinical lead at the Imperial College London Psilocybin
Depression Program, speaks of the way psychedelic mushrooms can help some to
overcome depression and anxiety.
Different from allopathic healing, mushrooms are
believed to help us heal in ways that last longer than other substances. A number
of patients who were not responsive to medications found some relief with the
use of mushrooms.
In this post, we will look at:
●
What happens in the brain when you
take mushrooms
●
What receptors psilocybe mushrooms
interact with
●
How this changes our brain
chemistry
●
The long term benefits and effects
What Happens in the Brain When
You Take Psychedelic Mushrooms?
Studies like this one
suggest that three phases occur in the brain when you take psychedelic
mushrooms. These are “...three intensity phases: onset of psychoactive effect, a peak plateau
and return to normal consciousness.”
Psilocybe mushrooms allow the brain to enhance the senses of openness,
acceptance, and connection. This altered state, the psychoactive experience, is
associated with mysticism, changes in thought patterns, and deepened
consciousness.
The mind can relax in these states, calming anxiety and incessant
thoughts. Psychedelic experiences can increase our ability to process and
experience feelings, and to accept the totality of our experiences.
What Receptors Do Psilocybe
Mushrooms Interact With?
Psilocybe mushrooms interact with Serotonin 2A
receptors. This study suggests that “a single dose of
psilocybin, a psychedelic and serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) agonist, may be
associated with antidepressant effects.”
The same study found that there is likely increased receptor and
synaptic density in the brain.
It is theorized in this study that “the present result strongly suggests that
psilocybin may increase dopamine release through 5-HT receptor activation.”
Since both dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters that uplift us, are
impacted by psilocybe mushrooms, it makes sense that scientists are looking at
how they can help people overcome depression, trauma, anxiety, and PTSD.
How Does This Change Our Brain
Chemistry?
Higher synaptic density and receptivity means
more connections and more communication pathways in the brain. In other words,
cognition and openness to possibility are enhanced.
Openness is a quality associated with increased
consciousness.
With this, there is hope that depression,
anxiety, and other conditions have the potential to heal.
How Safe Are Psychedelic
Mushrooms?
Safety is top priority when using psychedelic mushrooms. Mushrooms are not believed to be
chemically addictive, and when used with precaution they are considered one of
the safer psychoactive substances. Science is just beginning to understand the
effects of psychedelic mushrooms on the human brain, and
we look forward to the discoveries that lie ahead.
