Treating Depression With Magic Mushrooms
Depression is one of the most common causes of suicide around the world. Although there are currently quite a lot of therapeutic options for depression, they are still not so effective. Magic mushrooms are a type of psychedelic drug, that can help in treating depression. They contain some natural compounds, known as psilocybin and psilocin that have the ability to interfere with our brain and relieve some of the most common symptoms associated with depression. So, what are the pros and cons of using magic mushrooms in our fight against that unfortunate health condition?
Magic mushrooms – what exactly are they?
Magic mushrooms, scientifically known as psychedelic mushrooms are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain sufficient quantities of psilocybin and other psychoactive substances. Those compounds are known for their hallucinogenic properties and they have been used for centuries by natives from all over the world for their various important health benefits. Studies have revealed that magic mushrooms can be used to treat anxiety, depression, psychiatric distress, and other health issues.
The Pros of Using Magic Mushrooms for Depression
Psilocybin, the main active compound of magic mushrooms has shown some promising effects in the treatment of depression. Although many health professionals are skeptical concerning the use of magic mushrooms, particularly in uncontrolled settings, the truth is that the health benefits surrounding them can outnumber those associated with chemical anti-depressants.
Lasting results
A major benefit of magic mushrooms is the fact that their results are considered to be long-lasting. Patients treated with a single dose of psilocybin showed signs of improvement to their overall mood that lasted much longer compared to those receiving anti-depressants. Two doses of psilocybin can result in relief of both anxiety and bad mood that lasted for up to five weeks. On the contrary, patients need to receive anti-depressants daily combined with weekly attended therapy in order to experience the same level of results.
Apart from the long-lasting results associated with psilocybin, this compound is also, capable of producing some quick first results. If administrated carefully, psilocybin can act super-fast and improve the mental health of patients within the first week.
Good for treating resistant depression
Furthermore, magic mushrooms are a promising alternative choice for patients suffering from resistant depression. Those patients cannot usually benefit from common anti-depressants. However, studies have shown that they respond well to psilocybin. Although the exact mechanism of action has not been fully investigated, it seems that psilocybin can somehow reset the brain of those patients back to normal.
Lack of side effects
Psilocybin, if administrated with caution and under strictly controlled conditions possesses no real danger to patients. Its short-term usage and nature of its effects make it a safe alternative solution to treating depression. Moreover, psilocybin doesn’t share the common side effects, associated with standard anti-depressants, like increased appetite, dry mouth, insomnia, diarrhea, and fatigue. The effects and possible side effects of psilocybin vary between individuals. The mental state of every person and the surrounding environment can really affect the final result.
The most common side effect associated with the use of psilocybin for recreational purposes is psychological distress. Thankfully, this side effect is quite rare when the environment of the patient is controlled. However, some individuals may suffer from some mild side effects, including fear, confusion, and agitation.
The Cons of Using Magic Mushrooms for Depression
The most important disadvantage of using magic mushrooms is actually a practical one. In most countries, including the U.S, magic mushrooms are still illegal for clinical use. Therefore, most patients will not be able to have access to this type of treatment, unless they enroll in a new experiment that includes them. The danger of committing an illegal act if you use magic mushrooms is quite prominent in most countries. To add to that, having the knowledge that you hold something illegal may result in you feeling more depressed, anxious, and fearful.
The use of magic mushrooms as a self-medication treatment poses some dangers, as well. Individuals may suffer from confusion, hallucinations, distressing thoughts, and even paranoia. In that case, the presence of a health care professional around is vital to ensure proper and quick dealing with those effects.
Many people hope that magic mushrooms will be a legal and safe therapeutic solution for depression in the future. Their various health benefits and most importantly, long-lasting effects and lack of serious side effects have made magic mushrooms a promising treatment. However, there is also, some danger associated with the use of those mushrooms. For this reason, proper guidance by healthcare professionals is vital in order to avoid developing any side effects.
