Researchers may have found a breakthrough in using Psilocybin for Depression …Yeah, ‘shrooms’
If one thing is for sure, it’s that medicine is constantly improving and constantly evolving.
A new study by John Hopkins found that psilocybin relieves MAJOR depression.
Mushrooms containing psilocybin have been used as medicine and in cultural rituals for literally thousands of years. Some cave paintings, point to mushroom use up to 11,000 years ago !!
Depression today it no joke and the current treatments are not all that effective (especially long term)…
Most doctors these days prescribe some addictive or dependency forming pills and have you on your way thinking that you need pills to live a normal life.
In most cases this could not be further from the truth.
For people who have searched far and wide for a solution to manage their depression, but have been unsuccessful, this article will be beneficial.
Keep on reading to know more about Psilocybin for depression, how it works, and what evidence we have to prove it….
Does Psilocybin Help With Depression?
Over the past many years, the association between depression and Psilocybin has created waves in the medical industry.
Experts and professionals are researching the matter and collecting proof to support this idea.
The euphoric effects of the compound have been found useful combat the negativity associated with depression. The negative feelings of sadness, guilt, and frustration can go away and can be treated permanently with Psilocybin’s right use.
Not because psilocybin’s is treating the symptoms, but because it seems to be bringing awareness and acceptance to the underlying cause of the depression.
Same goes for substance abuse
Most people become addicted to cigarettes, drugs, gamling , ect because of a deep underlying fear, anxiety or emotional disconnection.
What’s great is that this compound knowingly has better effects on depression resistant to allopathic medications.
Because of psilocybin’s strong impact on the conscious mind of a human being, its results are faster, stronger, and more long-lasting.
Thus, patients who have been taking medications for their depression with no significant impact on their disease may have a better chance of complete recovery.
Evidence for Psilocybin vs. Depression
Over the years, many authentic and genuine research results have proven the significance of psilocybin effects on depression.
One such study took place in January 2017. The study aimed to develop a correlation between this compound’s use and its impact on several psychological conditions.
As a result, the outcome successfully showed that the depression effects significantly reduced after the use of Psilocybin.
Furthermore, research in 2019 showed positive results became the basis of the FDA claiming Psilocybin for depression as a breakthrough therapy.
After this particular session was successful, phase 2 of the research was continued and will hopefully produce outcomes in 2021.
This study phase involves 80 participants from different parts of the U.S., each with the diagnosed mental condition. The study aims to focus on the effect of treating these patients with a single dose of Psilocybin. If the results of this second trial show positive outcomes, a larger, much more impactful trial three will be in the making.
FDA Approval of Psilocybin for Depression:
So far, the FDA has not approved the use of Psilocybin. Nonetheless, researchers and experts are trying their best and putting forward authentic studies and evidence to make sure this can happen.
In 2019, the FDA agreed that Psilocybin for depression is a breakthrough therapy and that after a few more successful types of research and studies, and approval for medical use might be on its way.
Currently, there is no particular time expectation regarding when this compound will be legal for public or therapeutic use.
What is Depression, and What Does It Do?
Depression is complex and as someone who has personally fought through depression I know that it effects everyone differently….
But there are certainly common traits that most everyone with depression can find in common.
Depression is like a slow poison for humans.
In everyday language, depression is a mental roadblock that has a negative impact on the way you feel, think, and act on an everyday level.
Depression causes feelings of sadness and demotivation.
However, one must always remember that these are symptoms of depression, but not depression itself.
Depression only shows up as these symptoms; there is a very significant difference between the two.
Other negative symptoms of depression include loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities, loss of energy, diminished meaning of life, increased levels of tiredness and fatigue in the body, and negative thoughts related to death and suicide.
Somebody suffering from this major depressive disorder will also feel trouble sleeping, eating, and concentrating. Making decisions will be harder, and the patient will feel worthless and guilty most of the time.
The critical part to remember is that these symptoms must persist for at least two to three weeks before making a confirmed diagnosis.
For most cases of depression there is an underlying reason for the depression, and only treating the symptoms will not cure the underlying causes.
In some cases, only treating the symptoms with-out addressing the underlying condition can make your depression worse.
This is why prescription SSRI’s like Zoloft and Prozac come with a ‘black-box’ warning of increased likeliness of suicide for young adults.
Why is it Necessary to Treat Depression as Soon as Possible?
While depression may be mental and psychological in origin, it can also show up as physical symptoms…
If persistent in the long run, depression can lead to the development of other severe problems such as self-harm, gastrointestinal issues, headaches, migraines, and several others.
These secondary problems can sometimes be fatal as well. This reason is why experts and professionals advise the management and treatment of this disease as soon as possible.
What is Psilocybin?
Psilocybin is an organic compound that naturally occurs in over 200 mushroom species….
The Psilocybin Mushroom :
Better known on the streets as, Magic Mushrooms, Shrooms, Magic Smoke, or Sacred
Mushrooms….
Scientifically, It is called (and this is a doozy..) …4-phosphoryloxy-N N Dimethyltryptamine
I know. I couldn’t say it fast either.
SO! What makes these psilocybin mushrooms so magical…
Psilocybin is perhaps the most famous naturally-occurring psychedelic substance on the planet.
The most popular species of psilocybin mushrooms is Psilocybe cubensis, which is usually taken
orally with a common dose around 1-3 grams or a micro-dose between 0.15 – 0.3 grams.
What are the Effects of Psilocybin?
Psilocybin mushrooms have two significant kinds of impacts on the body: sensory and emotional.
In about 30 minutes after ingestion, the patient will start to experience noticeable changes. However, this time frame varies among people and can take from a minimum of 30 minutes to a maximum of several hours.
These effects include:
- Euphoria
- Visual effects
- Increased awareness
- Perception changes
- distorted sense of time
- Spiritual experiences
- Heightened tactile sensations
What are Psilocybin’s Uses?
Psilocybin mushrooms are a popular part of several cultures to serve spiritual purposes. However, with modernization and increased medical technology and research, this compound has become useful for other purposes as well.
In the medical world, the following are some of the uses of Psilocybin:
- Management of alcohol addiction
- Smoking cessation
- Lowering psychological distress related to cancer
- Managing and treating anxiety and depression
Are There Any Risks Associated with Taking Psilocybin?
To be precise, yes, there are certain risks associated with the use of Psilocybin. However, these risks only significant if you take the product in inappropriate amounts or in a negative environment.
As mentioned earlier, the drug has mind-altering effects, so undertaking or completing any chores that require complete mental attentiveness, such as driving, should be avoided after the use of Psilocybin.
Taking Psilocybin in a particular type of environment is an important consideration when ingesting the product. If you take the compound in a comfortable environment during a positive experience, the effects will be similar.
What are Psilocybin’s Side Effects?
Like any other drug used for health-related cases, Psilocybin also has secondary side effects if misused or used without supervision. Some of these side effects include:
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Paranoia
- Lack of coordination
- Uncomfortable body sensations
- Confusion
- Impaired concentration
- Yawning
Conclusion: Psilocybin vs. Depression
It is not hot news anymore that depression has become one of the most common yet most dangerous mental illnesses globally.
Over 17 million people suffer from the major depressive disorder in the U.S. alone, and hundreds and thousands of people die from it. Therefore, the importance of treating this disease has never been more critical.
Thus, when the compound named Psilocybin showed positive effects on the management of this disease, experts around the world were immediately interested.
Continuous research and studies, since then, have been going on and showing evidence on evidence regarding its positive impact on depression.
Thanks to a recent successful study, the FDA has cleaned Psilocybin as a breakthrough treatment for depression, when, and whether the compound will become available for public and medical use is still under question.
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