Mushrooms have been used for thousands of years for their benefits. You’ve probably heard of mushrooms being a great source of health – good protein, enough to make them a modern meat substitute, high amounts of nutrients, and other health benefits. What about the magic mushrooms? What are their benefits? If you’ve ever asked yourself, or the internet “Are mushrooms good for you?” stay tuned. We have your answers.
A Brief History of Magic Mushroom Use
Ancient civilizations may have asked “Are mushrooms good for you,” even if they didn’t use the word “mushroom.” Cave and rock paintings dating back to 9000 BC in Northern Africa appear to illustrate mushrooms. Many believe a substance the Aztecs called teonanácatl, meaning “flesh of the gods,” was magic mushrooms. Some Spanish Catholic missionary priests who visited North America in the 1500s wrote about the use of these psychotropic substances, possibly what we know as magic mushrooms.
While the historical uses of mushrooms are often debated, we do know a handful of modern indigenous tribes across Central America use psilocybin. We also know that magic mushrooms as we know them were introduced to North America in the late 1950s. An article published in Life magazine titled “Seeking the Magic Mushroom” lead to increased interest and usage in the United States. Psilocybin was made illegal in 1970, except for research purposes. However, not much research was done until the 21st century.
In 2000, John Hopkins University became the first research group to obtain regulatory approval in the United States to reinitiate research with psychedelics in healthy, psychedelic-naive volunteers. In 2018 the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) granted Compass Pathways permission to research mushrooms as a potential treatment for depression. A year later, John Hopkins opened the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, in hopes to provide answers to the big question: are mushrooms good for you?
Health Benefits of Mushrooms
There are over 200 different types of magic mushrooms. What do they all have in common? They contain psilocybin – the substance that makes them magic. There are many potential health benefits of mushrooms. Research indicates psilocybin may be helpful in reducing anxiety and depression, and cluster headaches while combating eating disorders such as anorexia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and various forms of substance abuse. There is ongoing research about the benefits of mushrooms for:
- Anxiety
- Depression, especially Treatment-Resistant Depression
- Oppressive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Smoking Cessation (quitting)
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Anorexia
- Cluster Headaches
- Lyme Disease
- Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementia
- End-of-Life Existential Anxiety
Depending on how someone defines “mushroom benefits” some of the initial effects of consuming psilocybin may fall under that category as well. These can include hallucinations, distortion of time and space, and a sense of euphoria. The initial effects of shrooms can lead to either a good trip or a bad trip.
Microdosing is becoming a more popular way to achieve some of the possible benefits of psilocybin without going on a trip at all. This involves taking a smaller dose – giving someone just enough of the drug to stop some cluster headaches, for example, without the hallucinations or euphoria.
The use of magic mushrooms can not only provide potential benefits to mental health, but psilocybin can also even cause physical changes to the brain structure. There is research that claims psychedelic drugs can help neurons in the brain sprout new dendrites (the little branch-like things) increasing communication between cells. This is called neuroplasticity and means the building and then solidifying of new circuits in the brain.
While there is some movement to increase the legalization and decriminalization of psilocybin in the United States, more research being conducted on the potential benefits of mushrooms can assist in that process. For now, we can stick to using our psilocybin spores for our own microscopy and taxonomy.
How Does Psilocybin Work?
The main cause of mushroom benefits is psilocybin. Psilocybin is the naturally occurring substance that makes magic mushrooms magic, works by activating serotonin receptors. These are most often in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. The prefrontal cortex is known to affect affects mood, cognition, and perception. Hallucinogens may also work in other regions of the brain that deal with arousal and panic responses. Rather than immediately causing hallucinations, psilocybin alters and distorts the reality around the user.
The effects of psilocybin usually start around 20-30 minutes after consuming a magic mushroom, while the intensity of the effects will depend on the variety of mushrooms, the amount, the growing conditions, the experience and health of the individual, and a variety of other factors.
Long-Term Effects of Mushrooms
Similar to any other substance, mushrooms can create long-term benefits and more negative long-term effects. Unfortunately, there haven’t been many studies on the possible long-term effects of mushrooms on the body or the mind. This is due to the complex legality of the substances and the struggles with getting research proposals authorized. However, between anecdotal evidence from mushroom users and what research there is, we do know a little bit about the possible long-term benefits and potential risks of psilocybin.
While the short-term mushroom benefits typically wear off in 6 to 12 hours, some people report experiencing changes long after consuming psilocybin. In addition to the possible health benefits listed above, long-term benefits may include positive personality changes including improved mood regulation, Increased openness, and a new sense of connectedness.
On the other end, a small number of users report long-term effects including paranoia, disturbing visual and auditory hallucinations, agoraphobia, and severe social withdrawal. While these effects exist for a minority, it is still important to know the potential risks and long-term effects of mushrooms.
While there are many possible benefits to consuming magic mushrooms, there are also potential risks to consider. If you decided to unlock some of the benefits of mushrooms, Top Mushroom Spores can get you started. Remember, psilocybin spores are perfectly legal in most states for research purposes, with the exceptions being Georgia, Idaho, and California.