Nowadays, a lot of us have issues with our mental health. Depression, in particular, is a serious problem for the population today, and among the many ways in which depression can be minimized is through the use of psilocybin. This naturally occurring psychedelic is found in magic mushrooms, and recent studies have shown that it is especially helpful in dealing with mental health disorders. Although there is still a lot of research that needs to be done, the benefits seen so far cannot be denied. Magic mushrooms are allowed in some countries for medical use; for example, you can legally get magic mushrooms in New Brunswick (Canada) for medical purposes. People who take these mushrooms are reported to have low anxiety and improved quality of life. Let’s take a deeper look into this subject.
What Is Psilocybin?
If you are new to this term, it basically refers to a type of mushroom that has psychedelic effects. Once you take it, it is common to experience sensory hallucinations and euphoric feelings lasting hours. Even though interest in this topic is now gaining popularity, it has been quite common for a while. There is evidence of the use of magic mushrooms in spiritual rituals and folk medicine.
Does It Work?
For people suffering from clinical depression or major depressive disorder, it is not uncommon to witness severe mood or behavior fluctuations. Aside from that, the physical functions are also affected, including things like sleep and appetite. Treatment usually comes in the form of antidepressant medicines, and you might notice changes after around seven weeks. There is, however, a downside to these treatments as some of them bring about sexual problems, dizziness, and headaches, and because of that, some people stop taking them.
A lot of research has gone into trying to use psychedelics to treat mental health conditions and depression, and it has proved to have been effective. They, however, don’t work for everyone the same way, but the same can be said about the antidepressant medications out there.
How Does It Work?
There are people who have no clue about how the process works and believe that it is just a matter of handing the patients the medication and letting them go and take it back home as they would with other drugs. They do not know that this process can be associated with difficult experiences, not to mention that it can be complicated. This is why therapists or facilitators should be present during the entire process to help patients move through their states of consciousness.
During psychedelic-assisted therapy, the individual is first put in a safe, comfortable environment and then given small doses of psilocybin by a professional. This is followed by a therapist engaging with the person to aid in the integration into the psychedelic session. During this process, the aim is to help the patient create some sort of meaning from their experiences.
What Are the Downsides?
It is important to know the risks that come with taking psychedelics, even though it is considered safe. Some of the effects include paranoia, delusions, panic, nausea, drowsiness, headaches, nervousness, and psychosis. These bad side effects are termed “bad trips” and may also include fear and anxiety. This is why it is important to have the individual in a comfortable environment to minimize the chances of them having a bad experience.
Takeaway
It is also important to know that people with certain mental health conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar episodes should not resort to this type of treatment as it poses a risk to them. There is still a lot of research that needs to be done into magic mushrooms before they are approved as suitable treatments for mental health disorders. The good news is that the results so far are positive, and we may see helpful changes in the future.
