Have you heard of medicinal fungi? What makes them different from the ordinary ones? The answer is psilocybe cubensis, a psychedelic substance.
You may not have heard about this active compound before. Yet, psilocybe cubensis for depression has gained much attention.
Looking back over the centuries; it has formed part of religious ceremonies. Many indigenous cultures across the world used it for medicinal and recreational purposes.
They also included it in their spiritual rituals. Often consuming these mushrooms in unison, creating a shared experience. They tried invoking ancestral guidance and seeking spiritual insight.
Continued research on the efficacy of psilocybe cubensis for depression shows much promise. It highlights psilocybe cubensis’s rapid effects by enhancing brain connectivity.
Psilocybin holds the potential to be an alternative to conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin has been around for many years. Its history dates as far back as 3000 B.C. In recent years, it has gained popularity with more research and studies taking place.
Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound found in medicinal fungi. Grown on nearly every continent.
What are medicinal fungi?
The indigenous people in Central America used it for many decades and still do so today.
With its growing popularity, came more research. The findings suggest it has the potential to treat a few health conditions.
Many believe in the treatment of psilocybe cubensis for depression, PTSD, and addiction.
This psychedelic forms part of a class of psychoactive substances. Also known as hallucinogens, psilocybe cubensis can cause hallucinations. Altering the user’s emotions and thinking.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regards it as a huge possibility for abuse. This view led to its classification as a Schedule I controlled substance.
People consume psilocybe cubensis, mostly through mushrooms. Once ingested, it metabolizes into psilocin. The compound activates the serotonin receptors¹, often found in the prefrontal cortex.
A study using fMRI scans² displayed how psilocybe cubensis interacts with the brain. It enhances communication between various parts of the brain, known as neuroplasticity.
It’s a rewiring process in parts of the brain that disconnects in depressed individuals. It resets certain thought patterns.
Psilocybin assists with cerebral blood flow and oxygenation. The result is mood enhancement and cognitive flexibility.
These results prove psilocybe cubensis for depression as a possible effective treatment option.
Depression can greatly impact your daily life. It can greatly affect your relationships, work, and your overall well-being.
Finding an effective therapy can improve your quality of life. Psilocybin for depression could benefit many.
Depression, affects approximately three million people³ globally. This amount has increased by nearly 20% during the past decade.
Depression has no link to age, gender, or background. Anyone can experience it. According to the World Health Organisation, it’s more common among women than men.
They’ve also recorded over 700 000 suicidal deaths annually. This cause of death is the fourth most popular reason in the age group 15–29 years.
Common causes of depression are undesirable and stressful events. These tipping points include:
The symptoms can last the better part of a day or a few weeks. There are certain signs that could signify depression.
These symptoms can vary between mild, moderate, and severe. The severity affects how the individual functions.
There are various treatment options for depression. The first option is usually psychotherapy. It eases the symptoms and teaches the patient coping mechanisms.
In mild to severe cases, medical doctors may prescribe an antidepressant. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are the most commonly prescribed drug.
As effective as these medications are, they have certain limitations.
SSRIs have a moderate success rate. Approximately 60%⁴ of patients respond positively to this medication. There’s no record of full remission and symptoms can continue.
One third of patients may experience treatment-resistant depression. This condition makes it harder to find an effective treatment.
SSRIs and other antidepressants have a range of side effects. These medications can cause weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and emotional blunting.
Some patients may find the side effects intolerable. These undesired experiences can lead to them discontinuing use of the medication.
Another reason for discontinuation is the lack of effectiveness. Resulting in a relapse.
The science behind psilocybe cubensis requires a look at the research done. Studies have shown that psychedelics encourage structural neuroplasticity. Further research on psilocybe cubensis for depression signals the growth of neural connections.
The ability of this psychedelic to trigger growth⁵ explains their positive effects. Studies conducted in animals displayed an increase in size and number of connections.
This enhancing quality is the reason psilocybe cubensis can restore neural pathways. Depression usually impairs these connections.
These changes continue long after the drug has metabolized. It sustains the improvement of mood and cognition.
Research into psychedelics to treat psychiatric conditions started in the 1940s. The research halted in the 1970s when the DEA classified psilocybe cubensis as a Schedule I drug.
John Hopkins Medicine completed a few studies on psilocybe cubensis for depression. They are forerunners in this field of research.
Their findings revealed that two doses, combined with psychotherapy, can reduce depressive symptoms⁶.
Majority of the participants experienced improvement. After a four week follow up, half of the participants achieved remission.
Another discovery in psilocybe cubensis clinical trials for depression researchers revealed long-term efficacy⁷. Just after two doses, they observed a significant decrease in symptoms for up to a year.
These results reveal how effective psilocybe cubensis is for depression. Approximately 75% experienced relief and 58% found themselves in remission.
A study published by JAMA Network⁸ recorded the results of a single-dose treatment. Participants were patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).
They consumed a single dose of 25mg. This treatment, combined with psychological support, displayed a reduction in symptoms. These occurred within 8 days.
Researchers used the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). It assesses the severity of a patient’s depression. The higher the score, the more severe the condition.
After treatment, these scores reduced. It confirmed that psilocybe cubensis for depression is a promising alternative treatment for MDD.
The clinical trial that commenced in 2023 took place at the University of Colorado⁹. It aims to assess the efficacy of psilocybe cubensis in people with treatment-resistant depression. As its name indicates, it lacks a response to therapy.
They used the following process:
One of the unique aims of this clinical trial is its focus on treatment-resistant depression.
When comparing psilocybe cubensis for depression with traditional treatments, there are some significant differences. Consider these as you decide which treatment best suits you.
Similar to SSRIs, psilocybe cubensis can ease symptoms of depression. Imperial College of London and the University of California San Francisco¹⁰ conducted research. They compared the two treatments.
Psilocybin matched the effectiveness of escitalopram, a SSRI drug. Besides reducing signs of depression, it also provided additional benefits. Mood scores improved and patients’ psychosocial functioning.
When evaluating the SSRIs and psilocybe cubensis¹¹ for depression, the latter responded faster. It reduced the symptoms within days.
The effects of traditional antidepressants could take up to weeks or even months. Approximately one third of patients using SSRIs may not respond to it.
A single dose treatment of psilocybe cubensis for depression can last for several weeks. Occasionally, it can extend to a few months. This result was possible when combined with psychotherapy.
The sustained benefits¹² of psilocybe cubensis provide positive outcomes. It’s especially rewarding to those with a major depressive disorder. Chances of remission are also greater.
When evaluating the effectiveness of psilocybe cubensis for depression, the side effects are fewer. SSRI causes health concerns such as weight gain, fatigue, and sexual dysfunction.
Compared to psilocybe cubensis, its after effects include headaches and nausea. Patients using this psychedelic have reported an enhanced quality of life¹³.
While psilocybe cubensis may improve your well-being, you still need to consider the potential risks. Points to examine are the contraindications and its legal status.
In certain circumstances, a particular medication may not agree with the user. The medical contraindications for psilocybe cubensis include the following:
Reviewing the ethical considerations ensures you make an informed and safe decision.
Psilocybin, being federally illegal, has some limitations as a psychedelic.
This legal status adversely affects any research efforts. It also limits access to those who might benefit from its therapeutic effects.
The view of psilocybe cubensis as a medical treatment has been evolving. The potential change in its legal status will assist with ongoing research.
This development will also support the integration of psilocybe cubensis into existing treatments.
Certain regions within the United States are currently exploring decriminalizing this psychedelic. Colorado has already approved this in 2022.
They aim to widen their research to a greater variety of psychiatric conditions.
There are also new clinical studies scheduled in the future. The University of New Mexico¹⁵ has studies investigating its role in postpartum depression.
To successfully integrate psilocybe cubensis into other forms of therapy requires training therapists. Equipping them with knowledge and skill to merge psychedelics into existing treatments.
The University of Colorado Denver¹⁶ has a center for psychedelic research. One of their aims is to train individuals how to use natural psychedelics.
Psilocybin for depression is a viable alternative treatment. It offers prolonged effects and less adverse reactions.
Compared to SSRIs, psilocybe cubensis is more effective and beneficial to MDD. Always pairing this with suitable psychotherapy.
Where conventional treatment doesn’t succeed as treatment, this psychedelic does. With many ethical and legal issues to overcome, the future looks promising.
It holds considerable potential for enhancing your overall well-being. The positive results from psilocybe cubensis clinical trials for depression further support this finding.
With more research needed, with psychotherapy, it can transform mental health care.
Reach out to Good Mood to help you explore how psilocybe cubensis can help you.
Reference List
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2. O’Hare, R. (2022). Magic mushroom compound increases brain connectivity in people with depression | Imperial News | Imperial College London. [online] Imperial News. Available at: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/235514/magic-mushroom-compound-increases-brain-connectivity/.
3. Metaxa, A.-M. and Clarke, M. (2024). Efficacy of psilocybe cubensis for treating symptoms of depression: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ, [online] 385, p.e078084. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-078084.
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7. Martinez, M. (2022). Psilocybin Treatment for Major Depression Effective for Up to a Year for Most Patients, Study Shows. [online] www.hopkinsmedicine.org. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/2022/02/psilocybe cubensis-treatment-for-major-depression-effective-for-up-to-a-year-for-most-patients-study-shows.
8. Raison, C.L., Sanacora, G., Woolley, J., Heinzerling, K., Dunlop, B.W., Brown, R.T., Kakar, R., Hassman, M., Trivedi, R.P., Robison, R., Gukasyan, N., Nayak, S.M., Hu, X., O’Donnell, K.C., Kelmendi, B., Sloshower, J., Penn, A.D., Bradley, E., Kelly, D.F. and Mletzko, T. (2023). Single-Dose Psilocybin Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA, [online] 330(9). doi:https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2023.14530.
10. Kurtzman, L. (2022). Psilocybin Rewires the Brain for People with Depression | UC San Francisco. [online] www.ucsf.edu. Available at: https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2022/04/422606/psilocybe cubensis-rewires-brain-people-depression.
11. Smith, R. (2024). Psilocybin as Effective as Traditional Antidepressants, With Added Benefits. [online] Drug Discovery from Technology Networks. Available at: https://www.technologynetworks.com/drug-discovery/news/psilocybe cubensis-as-effective-as-traditional-antidepressants-with-added-benefits-391265[Accessed 19 Oct. 2024].
12. Pelc, C. (2024). Psilocybin may bring greater long-term depression symptom relief than SSRIs. [online] Medicalnewstoday.com. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/psilocybe cubensis-may-bring-greater-long-term-depression-symptom-relief-than-ssris [Accessed 19 Oct. 2024].
13. Johnson, K. (2024). Psilocybin Bests SSRI for Major Depression in First Long-Term Comparison. [online] Medscape. Available at: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/psilocybe cubensis-bests-ssri-major-depression-first-long-term-2024a1000h77?form=fpf [Accessed 19 Oct. 2024].
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[Accessed 19 Oct. 2024].
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