The Surprising Health Benefits of Psilocybin Mushrooms

The Surprising Health Benefits of Psilocybin Mushrooms

Psilocybin mushrooms are well known for their powerful psychedelic effects, but did you know that these magical mushrooms also offer a number of significant benefits? Today, more and more studies are showing that psilocybin mushrooms may offer a wide range of mental and physical health benefits. While the movement surrounding the legalization of psilocybin mushrooms is not progressing as swiftly as the marijuana legalization movement, some researchers believe that psilocybin mushrooms could see approval from the Food and Drug Administration as soon as 2021.

 An Overview of Benefits Provided by Psilocybin Mushrooms

The main bulk research done on the psilocybin mushrooms has been focused on using psilocybin mushrooms to treat a wide range of psychiatric and behavioral disorders. This includes depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, quitting nicotine, alcoholism, other drug addictions, cluster headaches, and even life threatening illnesses such as cancer according to one study

Psilocybin and Mental Health 

The primary psychoactive component in psilocybin mushrooms increases neuro connectivity by stimulating receptors in the brain, and this increased neuro connectivity may be the key to healing trauma from both physical and psychological events. Many returning Iraq soldiers turned to these mushrooms upon returning home to help them cope with severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and former 2020 Presidential candidate Andrew Yang even endorsed the legalization of psilocybin mushrooms for treating veterans

One common misconception regarding the use of psilocybin mushrooms for treating mental conditions is that the user must endure a psychedelic trip in order to receive these benefits. This is not the case, as micro-dosing psilocybin mushrooms is able to increase neuro activity without bringing on an intense psychedelic experience. 

Psilocybin and Addiction

If you struggle with a form of addiction, psilocybin mushrooms may be able to help. A study from John Hopkins University found that psilocybin mushrooms significantly improved the process of quitting smoking cigarettes over a 12 month follow-up period. The way this works is by removing an individual from their current routine and giving them a new outlook on their life allowing them to step outside of their issues and move forward. The same concept applies to other addictions as well such as alcohol and cocaine, and a 2015 study on patients struggling with alcohol dependencyshowed significant improvement in alcoholic patients after just one week of micro-dosing psilocybin mushrooms. 

The Drawbacks of Psilocybin 

While there are many potential benefits offered psilocybin mushrooms, there are a few side-effects that are worth mentioning as well. These side-effects include dizziness, drowsiness, impaired concentration, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, unusual body sensations, nausea, paranoia, confusion, frightening hallucinations and vomiting. With that said, though, there are no reported deaths directly caused by psilocybin mushrooms) and many of these negative effects are rare and short in endurance. Compared to most drugs, psilocybin mushrooms are very safe. 

Conclusion

While the legalization of magic mushrooms is still in its infancy, research shows that it may be worth a new movement. If research continues to show significant health benefits of psilocybin mushrooms, we may end up seeing more campaigns for magic mushroom legalization, potentially providing a safer and more efficient treatment for those suffering with psychiatric and behavioral disorders.

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