{"id":12992,"date":"2022-12-26T15:21:51","date_gmt":"2022-12-26T15:21:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fitolympia.com\/?p=12992"},"modified":"2022-12-26T15:21:52","modified_gmt":"2022-12-26T15:21:52","slug":"mushrooms-for-depression-the-pros-cons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fitolympia.com\/na\/mushrooms-for-depression-the-pros-cons\/","title":{"rendered":"Mushrooms for Depression? The Pros and Cons"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Magic mushrooms are a natural type of psychedelic drug that people use for recreational or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.newscientist.com\/article\/dn9522-magic-mushrooms-really-cause-spiritual-experiences\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">spiritual<\/a>&nbsp;purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the U.S., magic mushrooms are illegal. They contain the Schedule controlled substances&nbsp;<strong>psilocybin<\/strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>psilocin<\/strong>. This drug classification means magic mushrooms have no accepted medical value and a high potential for abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But scientific reports show that magic mushrooms can treat depression. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/fda-approves-psychedelic-magic-mushrooms-ingredient-psilocybin-depression-1086759\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">approved the ingredient psilocybin for use in a drug trial<\/a>&nbsp;for treatment-resistant depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What are the pros and cons of using mushrooms for depression? And how does this treatment compare to other options?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/33phzco7gr3lbxjpwdoad15x-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Mushrooms_pros_cons_depression-5.png\" alt=\"Mushrooms_for_medication_pros_cons\" class=\"wp-image-2838\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Pros of Using Magic Mushrooms for Depression<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Effective for Treatment-Resistant Depression<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imperial.ac.uk\/news\/182410\/magic-mushrooms-reset-brains-depressed-patients\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Studies<\/a>&nbsp;show that patients with treatment-resistant depression respond well to psilocybin. Results suggest psilocybin \u2018reset\u2019 the brains of these patients. Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris led one of the psilocybin studies and says \u201csimilar brain effects\u201d occur \u201cwith&nbsp;<strong>electroconvulsive<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>therapy<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cPsilocybin may be giving these individuals the temporary \u2018kick start\u2019 they need to break out of their depressive states\u2026\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Treatment-resistant depression is when depressive symptoms aren\u2019t relieved by any tried therapies, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>\u2013 Various medications<\/li><li>\u2013 Various talk therapies<\/li><li>\u2013 Lifestyle changes<\/li><li>\u2013 Alternative therapies<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lasting Results<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Research&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.imperial.ac.uk\/news\/182410\/magic-mushrooms-reset-brains-depressed-patients\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">demonstrates<\/a>&nbsp;that relief lasted up to five weeks after two doses of psilocybin.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2016\/12\/01\/health\/hallucinogenic-mushrooms-psilocybin-cancer-anxiety-depression.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Separate studies<\/a>&nbsp;show that a single dose of psilocybin can lift anxiety and depression in cancer patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In contrast, many depressed patients need to take antidepressants every day and\/or attend therapy every week to get similar benefits. These forms of treatment can also continue for&nbsp;<strong>years<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fast-Acting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>According to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/science\/2016\/may\/17\/magic-mushrooms-lift-severe-depression-in-clinical-trial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Professor David Nutt<\/a>&nbsp;of Imperial College London, \u201cOur study has shown psilocybin is safe and fast acting so may, if administered carefully, have value for these patients.\u201d. In one&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurekalert.org\/pub_releases\/2016-05\/tl-tlp051616.php\">study<\/a>&nbsp;on magic mushrooms, all the depressed patients showed improvements after&nbsp;<strong>one week<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The fast-acting nature of psilocybin mushrooms for depression is attractive since antidepressant medication and\/or therapy can take weeks before patients feel benefits. This can prove problematic if your depressive symptoms are severe. Self-harming behavior or suicidal thoughts call for immediate treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Emotional Connection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Researchers&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.imperial.ac.uk\/news\/184091\/can-psychedelic-drugs-reconnect-depressed-patients\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">state<\/a>&nbsp;that magic mushrooms help depressed patients reconnect with their emotions. They contrast this effect with antidepressants, which relieve depression by dulling your emotions. Many patients who use antidepressants say they help reduce low mood, but they blunt positive mood as well. This can leave you feeling numb or flat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/33phzco7gr3lbxjpwdoad15x-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Mushrooms_pros_cons_depression-4.png\" alt=\"Mushrooms_for_medication_pros_cons\" class=\"wp-image-2837\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Psilocybin seems to offer patients benefits by increasing emotional processing. After the psilocybin experiment, patients&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/scientists-discovered-how-magic-mushrooms-alleviate-depression-antidepressants-psilocybin-amygdala\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said<\/a>&nbsp;they were more willing to accept emotions. They felt that previous treatments encouraged them to \u201creinforce emotional avoidance and disconnection.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The nature of psilocybin\u2019s effects and its short-term use means there are few side effects. Magic mushrooms lack the&nbsp;side effects of various antidepressant medications, which often include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>\u2013 Increased appetite and weight gain<\/li><li>\u2013 Loss of sexual desire or other sexual problems (erectile dysfunction, decreased orgasm, etc.)<\/li><li>\u2013 Fatigue and drowsiness<\/li><li>\u2013 Dry mouth<\/li><li>\u2013 Blurred vision<\/li><li>\u2013 Insomnia<\/li><li>\u2013 Dizziness<\/li><li>\u2013 Indigestion and stomach aches<\/li><li>\u2013 Diarrhea or constipation<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Cons of Using Magic Mushrooms for Depression<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/33phzco7gr3lbxjpwdoad15x-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Mushrooms_pros_cons_depression-2.png\" alt=\"Mushrooms_for_medication_pros_cons\" class=\"wp-image-2835\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Limited Options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Magic mushrooms are illegal in the U.S., including for clinical use, so patients with depression can\u2019t receive the treatment outlined in the studies above unless they enroll in new experiments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Magic mushrooms are legal in some countries, and you can even find \u2018magic mushroom retreats\u2019 in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/psychedelicsociety.org.uk\/experience-retreats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the Netherlands<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mycomeditations.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jamaica<\/a>. These retreats don\u2019t cater to people with depression, even though some people attend them for that reason. They\u2019re also not controlled or structured in the same way psilocybin studies are. And there may not be psychotherapists guiding the sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Unsettling Experiences<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Researchers warn against people using magic mushrooms as a form of self-medication. This is because it involves some risks that you may not be able to cope with on your own. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>\u2013 Paranoia<\/li><li>\u2013 Confusion<\/li><li>\u2013 Frightening hallucinations, both auditory or visual in nature<\/li><li>\u2013 Derealization (the feeling that your surroundings aren\u2019t real)<\/li><li>\u2013 Depersonalization (a state in which your thoughts and feelings seem unreal)<\/li><li>\u2013 Distressing thoughts<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When you don\u2019t have a trained mental health professional to guide you through a difficult experience or process it after, it could be unsettling in the long-term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/33phzco7gr3lbxjpwdoad15x-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Mushrooms_pros_cons_depression-3.png\" alt=\"Mushrooms_for_medication_pros_cons\" class=\"wp-image-2836\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Legal Risks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you decide to use magic mushrooms for depression in the U.S., you are committing a crime. Most patients don\u2019t want to have to break the law to treat their mental health condition. Also, knowing you have a controlled substance may increase your unpleasant emotions, like paranoia, during an experience with magic mushrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Magic mushrooms are a natural type of psychedelic drug that people use for recreational or&nbsp;spiritual&nbsp;purposes. In the U.S., magic mushrooms 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