When most people think of magic mushrooms, it evokes visions of alternate worlds dripping in hallucinations, kaleidoscopes of vibrant colors melting the landscape, and endless laughter with no clear reason of the source. They call it “tripping” for a reason. Taking mushrooms has long-been regarded as an escape from reality to explore parts of the mind we just can’t reach from eating a regular portobello or porcini dinner-shroom.
Although the experience might be pleasurable for many people, it hasn’t necessarily been thought of as beneficial to our mind, body, and soul. That could all be changing.
Thanks to the recent explosion of health benefits discovered in marijuana, the scientific community is starting to take notice of weed’s more intense psychedelic sister. Early evidence is supporting the notion that magic mushrooms have a lot to offer. And we might not be able to ignore the health benefits any longer. Here are five great qualities of the renowned feral fungus.
You can explore new parts of your brain.
There’s no denying that magic mushrooms expand your mind. If you haven’t taken them yourself, ask anyone who has, and you will invariably get assurance that they are indeed a mind-bending substance. It might be exciting, frightening, and euphoric, but it will certainly be different from anything your brain has experienced during the pre-mushroom trip. These hallucinogenic drugs have a profound effect on the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which is the area responsible for abstract thinking, perception, and thoughtful analysis. Parts of your brain will be triggered that previously weren’t, and you will temporarily see things in ways you didn’t think possible, thanks to the psilocybin ingredient present in shrooms.
You can microdose them.
Perhaps the most exciting part of the mushroom movement is the prevalence of microdose. They are not yet legalized, but you can buy magic mushrooms online. Not everyone wants to go on a brain-scrambling trip and be catapulted well out of their comfort zone, which is understandable. But that doesn’t mean they should be deprived of all the great benefits that psilocybin and magic mushrooms can provide. Taking a small dose can promote a feeling of well-being and happiness while allowing you to continue your day the way you normally would. Early microdosing studies are especially exciting when it comes to the effects on mental health.
They can enhance your mood.
If you’ve ever been walking in a field and come across a small group of people laughing uncontrollably in unison without any particular rhyme or reason, they were probably on mushrooms. Shrooms have long been known to create belly laughs, happiness, and feelings of euphoria. Of course, it’s not all sunshine and roses. We’ve all heard the story of the proverbial “bad trip.” Magic mushrooms can show you the good and bad of life in a new light, and some people have reported negative experiences. For most, this is the exception and not the rule, but it’s always important to go into any trip with an open mind and expect the unexpected.
They could help with mental health issues.
This is the big one and what researchers and scientists are putting all their resources into. The early evidence from trials treating subjects with depression and other mental health ailments has been overwhelmingly positive. A growing number of people that have long suffered depression are claiming that the effects of microdosing have been nothing short of life-changing.
A lot of the science of psychedelics remains unknown, but tests on patients’ brains after taking psilocybin showed reduced blood flow and less activity in the amygdala, a part of the brain that is overactive in depression and anxiety.
One study of 51 patients with life-threatening cancer showed that psilocybin significantly reduced depression in 80% of cases and helped them feel better prepared to cope with death.
They can help you break bad habits.
Another potentially life-changing benefit of magic mushrooms is the possibility of them aiding in addiction and breaking bad habits. The early studies are promising. One small study found that psilocybin was effective at helping people abstain from smoking over a year-long follow-up period. Another found the same results on a study group with alcohol dependency. Some patients reported a feeling of deep self-reflection after taking mushrooms and found they could see their lives more clearly, allowing them to make better choices.
Conclusion
It’s great to see magic mushrooms having a moment. It appears that the momentum gained from research in the last few years will be enough to warrant money to further studies as we learn more about this unique forest-dwelling fungus. The early evidence of health benefits can not be denied, and there is a real possibility that psilocybin could be a game-changer for those suffering from depression, PTSD, and other mental health issues. As research and studies are still relatively new, it will likely take some time to truly understand all that mushrooms have to offer. But at this time, it appears that shrooms are on the same path as marijuana to someday be declassified as a schedule 1 drug and made available legally to the public.
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