Psychedelic mushroom
Magic mushrooms or psychedelic mushrooms or Psilocybin mushrooms contain the alkaloid psilocybin, or similar substances.[1]
Psilocybin is a mind-altering chemical. It changes the brain to an altered state of mind, or a different state of consciousness. This can lead to effects like hallucinations or visions. They may be used for medical purposes to treat cluster headaches,[2] obsessive-compulsive disorder,[3] and certain kinds of depression.[4]
Psilocybe semilanceata is the classic example of a magic mushroom, but there are quite a few others. These fungi also have some species with psilocybin: Copelandia, Gymnopilus, Inocybe, Mycena, Panaeolus, Pholiotina, Pluteus.
Psilocybin can kill in extremely high doses. The LD50 of psilocybin is 280 mg/kg for rats, this is about 1.5 times that of caffeine. In normal psychedelic mushrooms, psilocybin makes up about 1% of their weight. Therefore, nearly 1.7 kilograms of dried mushrooms, or 17 kilograms of fresh mushrooms, would be required for a 60 kg person to reach the 280 mg/kg LD50 rate of rats.
Psilocybin mushrooms have probably been used since prehistoric times. They may be seen in rock art.[5] Many cultures have used these mushrooms in religious rites. Psychedelic mushrooms have been used by native peoples of Mesoamerica for religious communion and healing. Catholic missionaries were against the use of magic mushrooms. In Modern society, they are sometimes used recreationally. Their medical use in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is studied,[6][7] for example, in the treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer,[8] the treatment of depression[9][10] and to help quit smoking.[11]
The function of compounds like this in nature is they reduce the likelihood of the mushroom being eaten before its spores have been scattered. It is a defence against herbivory.
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "HOW TO IDENTIFY PSILOCYBIN MUSHROOMS - Psychedelic High". pychedelichigh.com. Archived from the original on 2022-05-19. Retrieved 2022-06-28.
- ↑ Clusterbusters. "Psilocybin mushrooms". Archived from the original (html) on 2006-11-29. Retrieved 2006-12-01.
- ↑ "Safety, tolerability and efficacy of Psilocybin in 9 Patients with obsessive-compulsive-disorder" (PDF). University of Washington. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-12-29. Retrieved 2009-12-12.
- ↑ "FDA approves magic mushrooms depression drug trial". Newsweek. 2018-08-23. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
- ↑ Samorini, Giorgio (1992). "The oldest Representations of Hallucinogenic Mushrooms in the World (Sahara Desert, 9000-7000 B.P.)". Integration. 2/3, pp: 69–78.
- ↑ Schenberg*, Eduardo Ekman (2018). "Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Paradigm Shift in Psychiatric Research and Development". Frontiers in Pharmacology. 9: 733. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00733. PMC 6041963. PMID 30026698.
- ↑ "The New Science of Psychedelics". Retrieved 2018-09-30.
- ↑ Ross, Stephen; Bossis, Anthony; Guss, Jeffrey; Agin-Liebes, Gabrielle; Malone, Tara; Cohen, Barry; Mennenga, Sarah E; Belser, Alexander; Kalliontzi, Krystallia (2016-11-30). "Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial". Journal of Psychopharmacology. 30 (12): 1165–1180. doi:10.1177/0269881116675512. ISSN 0269-8811. PMC 5367551. PMID 27909164.
- ↑ Carhart-Harris, Robin L; Roseman, Leor; Bolstridge, Mark; Demetriou, Lysia; Pannekoek, J Nienke; Wall, Matthew B; Tanner, Mark; Kaelen, Mendel; McGonigle, John (2017-10-13). "Psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression: fMRI-measured brain mechanisms". Scientific Reports. 7 (1): 13187. Bibcode:2017NatSR...713187C. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-13282-7. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 5640601. PMID 29030624.
- ↑ "COMPASS Pathways Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Psilocybin Therapy for Treatment-resistant Depression – COMPASS". Retrieved 2018-12-12.
- ↑ "Hallucinogen in 'magic mushrooms' helps longtime smokers quit in Hopkins trial". The Hub. 2014-09-11. Retrieved 2018-09-30.