Psychedelic mushrooms, sometimes called magic mushrooms or shrooms, have been used for centuries for spiritual practices and healing. These mushrooms contain compounds like psilocybin that can produce powerful mind-altering experiences. In recent years, there’s been a lot of excitement about using psychedelic mushrooms therapeutically for mental health, you can easily see this with the excess of Mushroom Delivery Near Me options you see on the internet. But are they actually good for you? Do the benefits outweigh the risks? This article will explore what research says so far about the pros and cons of psychedelic mushrooms.
Potential Mental Health Benefits
Several recent clinical studies have suggested that psychedelic mushrooms may help certain mental health conditions when administered in a therapeutic setting.
For example, small studies have shown psilocybin, the primary psychedelic compound in these mushrooms, reduced anxiety and depression in cancer patients. It also decreased depressive symptoms in those with treatment-resistant depression when coupled with therapy.
Researchers have found that psychedelic mushrooms may help by temporarily altering brain connectivity. This seems to allow people to break out of rigid patterns of thinking and behavior that underlie conditions like addiction, anxiety and depression.
The mystical-type experiences some people report from psychedelics can produce lasting positive changes in their outlook and behaviors as well.
However, it’s important to understand these are small preliminary studies. Further research is needed to conclusively prove efficacy and safety. There is no FDA-approved psilocybin treatment currently available.
Potential Risks and Downsides
While some studies are promising, psychedelic mushrooms carry real risks:
- They can produce disturbing hallucinations, panic attacks, paranoia and psychotic episodes in some individuals. Those with certain mental health conditions could be impacted negatively.
- There are risks of accidents or dangerous behavior due to impaired judgment and perception.
- They are considered illegal substances in most jurisdictions. Possession or use could result in fines or jail time.
- Variability in potency of natural mushrooms makes effects unpredictable. Dosages need careful control and supervision.
- Some report “bad trips” which can be extremely psychologically uncomfortable. These experiences need management by trained professionals.
- There are limited long term studies on impacts with repeated use, effects on youth and adolescents, etc.
Overall, experts say set and setting are key to reducing risks. When improperly used without supervision in uncontrolled settings, psychedelic mushrooms carry higher risks ranging from traumatic experiences to long-lasting psychiatric problems in vulnerable individuals.
Therapeutic Use vs. Recreational Use
An important distinction is psychedelic mushrooms used therapeutically under medical guidance compared to casual recreational use.
In clinical settings, patients are screened for risks, carefully monitored during sessions and there is integration therapy afterwards. This structured approach seems to maximize potential benefits while minimizing harms.
On the other hand, recreational use often involves inadequate dosage control, uncontrolled set and setting, mixing mushrooms with other substances, lack of medical screening, and absence of follow up care. This leads to more unpredictability and adverse reactions along with lack of lasting benefits.
For these reasons, experts strongly caution against using psychedelic mushrooms recreationally or self-medicating with them. The risks likely outweigh any benefits outside supervised medical settings at this time.
Current State of Research
Where does research on therapeutic use of psychedelic mushrooms stand today? Here are a few key points:
- Early stage clinical trials show promising signals but definitive conclusions require larger Phase 3 trials that are still underway.
- It will likely be years before the FDA approves psilocybin mushroom medicines that doctors can prescribe.
- Optimal protocols for psilocybin-assisted therapy are still being defined and refined.
- Most experts strongly advise against any non-clinical use by the general public due to unpredictable effects and legal issues.
In summary, while current research is exciting, it is still preliminary. Much more rigorous study is needed to conclusively demonstrate if, when and how psychedelic mushrooms can be used therapeutically versus recreationally before mainstream medical and legal acceptance.
Conclusion:
There has been progress in studying potential benefits of psychedelic mushrooms for some mental health conditions, but conclusive proof is still lacking. The risks and long-term effects of casual use also require further research.
While the possibilities are intriguing, the reality is there are still many open questions about safety, proper protocols and eligibility. Until further research provides more definitive answers, the wise approach is to be very cautious about using psychedelic mushrooms given the limits of current scientific knowledge.
If clear medical benefits are established in the future, psychedelic mushrooms may eventually have appropriate uses under medical supervision. But unless and until that occurs, recreational use entails real risks that likely outweigh any benefits for most people. Given the current landscape, prudence is warranted. With more rigorous study, we will learn a great deal more about if, when and how these mushrooms can be Good for You.