New Study: Shrooms Helps Depression

Before I begin, I want to remind everyone that Steemit should be a place where controversial ideas are heard with open ears. The mainstream media will never talk about this subject unless we do—this is one of the beauties of steemit.

Shrooms for Depression

New Study: Shrooms helps with anxiety and depression

In the last decade, research from John Hopkins University, NYU, MAPS, The Beckley Foundation and others have contributed to a new wave of psychedelic research unseen since the 60’s.^{1 2 3 4} I am extremely passionate about medicinal use of psychedelic drugs and I aim to be a main contributor of this content on Steemit (please message me if you are also interested in these topics; I would love to talk).

Today I am presenting two studies to you on psilocybin, the active component in Magic Mushrooms (shrooms). Psilocybin is currently deemed a Schedule 1 drug in the US and Class A in the UK for being highly dangerous and having no medical value. In the eye’s of the government, it is on the same level as Heroin and Meth, and despite this, we are going to talk about its potential medical use. In fact, the following study is a slap in the face to the DEA and others invested in keeping psychedelic drugs illegal.

Taking Shrooms in a Medical Setting

Medical Setting

Aren’t shrooms dangerous? How can they be administered in a medical setting? These are questions that crossed my mind before I began researching and may cross your mind as well.

As for whether or not it is dangerous, it may be surprising to hear that the only known long-term negative effect of any psychedelic is bringing on a latent or predisposed mental disorder such as schizophrenia. Although research on psychedelics is limited, alcohol at this point seems more dangerous than LSD and psilocybin because it causes liver failure, cancer, and is addictive. There is a short term downside for psychedelics as well: a bad trip. When under of the influence of the drug, one can experience intense anxiety, paranoia, and despair. People can hurt themselves in this state and although rare, even kill themselves. Of course, most people have blissful experiences on these drugs. The goal in the following study is to minimize the risk of a bad trip by creating a comforting medical setting.

In these studies, the active drug in shrooms, psilocybin, was given to the participants. Then each participant was told to lay down, put on a blindfold, and were given music to listen to. This method is based on the theory of set and setting developed by Norman Zinberg, Timothy Leary, and others. To minimize a bad experience on these drugs, it is critical to create the right atmosphere (setting) and be in a good frame of mind (set). Although a positive mindset is rather difficult for those struggling with depression, the studies aim to create environments that the participant will feel safe in. Each participate even has a guide helping them through the experience and holding their hand if necessary.

Results: Immediate Reduction of Depression

Two recent studies published in 2016 investigate the effect of psilocybin on cancer patients with debilitating end of life anxiety or depression.^{1 2} The second study tests the same thing as the first and therefore aims to solidify the results and call for further research.
The results are simply stunning.

John Hopkins 2016 Study Fundings

Immediately reduction in anxiety and depression after treatment (greater than the placebo)
78% had less depression at 6 months
87% had less anxiety at 6 months

Again, these are stunning results. Anxiety and depression are amongst the most costly and difficult disorders to treat. Current treatments for depression with the highest success rates, namely SSRI and mindfulness meditation (MBCT), help a mere 30% of patients. Further, even when conventional treatments do help, they usually take months, whereas psilocybin helps patients immediately. (Meditation is still a great practice to anyways; check out my short overview here)

Baby Brain on LSD

Why does psilocybin help when other drugs cannot? Scientists are not quite sure, but a prevailing theory is that psychedelics create hyperconnectivity in the brain. When we take psychedelics, we basically turn into a baby: we feel strong emotions, go through quick mood swings, and constantly try to understand reality. Parts of the brain talk to other parts that it usually does not talk to when under psychedelics.

According to Dr. Carhart-Harris

Our brains become more constrained and compartmentalised as we develop from infancy into adulthood, and we may become more focused and rigid in our thinking as we mature. In many ways, the brain in the LSD state resembles the state our brains were in when we were infants: free and unconstrained. This also makes sense when we consider the hyper-emotional and imaginative nature of an infant's mind.

Check out the picture below .

This picture is from the recent LSD brain imaging study. Different parts of the brain that usually do not talk to each other are talking to each other! This is one of the reasons for hallucinations under these drugs.

Legal Shrooms: A Guide for the Future

Research is slowly coming out about the medical use of psilocybin and other psychedelics. Unfortunately, it is extremely hard to get funding because most psychedelics cannot be patented and of course, are illegal. In the coming years, psychedelics need to become legal. When medical use comes out, we NEED to push for a descheduling. Stay awake; stay aware.

Thanks for reading.