Magic Mushrooms Can Alleviate Depression: Study Magic mushroom is a variety of mushroom that produces psychedelic compound called psilocybin and

possesses hallucinogenic effects. It is also known by other names, such as caps, mushrooms, shrooms,

psilocybin and psilocyn.

Since psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule I drugs under the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic

Substances, they are treated as drugs with a high potential for abuse which have no recognized medical

utility.

Despite being hallucinogenic, mushrooms containing psilocybin may not be addictive in the first place.

However, their repeated use may render one to become dependent, forcing to increase the dosage to

derive the same effects. This property of the drug has put it on the list of banned substances in many

countries.

But, according to a recent study, magic mushrooms have the potential to become a mainstream drug and

alleviate depression in people.

First human trial of magic mushrooms

The 2016 study by the Imperial College, London is the first human trial which revealed that magic

mushrooms can actually lift depression in people.

The researchers picked

12 people who were

reeling from clinical

depression for quite

some time, on an

average of 17.8 years.

These patients had not

responded to any

standard medications,

including selective

serotonin re-uptake

inhibitors (SSRIs) and

electroconvulsive

therapy.

After providing an oral

dose of psilocybin for

one week to these

patients, a marked

improvement in their conditions was observed, the researchers said. On top of it, after a period of three

months, there was complete remission in five of them. It is a remarkable development in the field of

depression treatment in comparison to current procedures.

“It is important that academic research groups try to develop possible new treatments for depression as

the pharmaceutical industry is pulling out of this field. Our study has shown psilocybin is safe and fast

acting so may, if administered carefully, have value for these patients,” said a senior author of the study

Professor David Nutt.

Magic mushrooms must not be used to self-medicate depression

The experiment, however, wasn’t carried out arbitrarily and the researchers exercised great caution while

giving doses of psilocybin to the patients.

“Psychedelic drugs have potent psychological effects and are only given in our research when appropriate

safeguards are in place, such as careful screening and professional therapeutic support,” said Dr. Robin

Carhart-Harris, lead author of the study.

“I wouldn’t want members of the public thinking they can treat their own depressions by picking their

own magic mushrooms. That kind of approach could be risky,” he said. The investigators, by any means,

did not propagate and urge people to use magic mushrooms on their own as a means to self-medicate

depression as this can have serious repercussions.

Though the researchers weren’t in a position to deduce the effects of the drug – whether it was caused

by the chemical changes in the brain or the psychedelic experience itself, which seemed mystical, spiritual

and offered a new perspective, as put by the patients – it was psilocybin all the way that was the winner

at last. The researchers were delighted that psilocybin offered a ray of hope to people who have been

depressed for a long time.

Available depression treatment

Whether or not psilocybin is inducted into the mainstream medicine in the near future, which can

immensely help in fighting depression, it is still a treatable condition with a little effort.

If a loved one is grappling with depression and you are looking for depression treatment centers in

California, call the Depression Treatment Centers of California for immediate assistance. Our experts

available at 24/7 helpline number 855-678-0400 can guide you to the best depression treatment in

California. Getting into a depression center in California at the right time will ensure that recovery from

the disorder is complete and long-term.

For more information, please visit

www.depressiontreatmentcentersofcalifornia.com