Psilocybin

Overall Health Benefits of Psilocybin

• Fights depression [1-16]
• Alleviates anxiety [1, 5-7, 17-22]
• Treats alcohol addiction [23-27]
• Aids in smoking cessation [28-33]
• Relieves headaches [34-40]
• Improves cognitive function [41-46]
• Treats post-traumatic stress disorder (TSD) [47-53]
• Treats obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) [54-61]

What is Psilocybin?

Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic chemical found in a certain family of mushrooms such as Copelandia, Panaeolus, Pholiotina, Pluteus, Psilocybe, Gymnopilus, and Inocybe. Mushrooms that contain psilocybin are called “magic mushrooms” and can be found in Europe, Mexico, South America, and the United States. The amount of psilocybin in dried magic mushrooms is usually 10 times higher than that found in fresh mushrooms. When ingested, psilocybin can produce hallucinogenic effects within 30 minutes and can last 4-6 hours.  Recent studies on psilocybin suggest that aside from these effects, it can help benefit different health conditions that affect cognitive function and pain perception.

How Psilocybin Works?

Psilocybin activates serotonin receptors in the brain region called the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in the regulation of cognition, perception, and mood. In addition, psilocybin also works in other brain regions that play vital roles in the regulation of arousal and panic responses. This in turn produces antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects, relieves pain, and improves cognition.

Chemical Structure of Psilocybin

Research on Psilocybin

A. Fights Depression

Psilocybin can help achieve euphoria (extreme happiness) by activating serotonin receptors in the brain. This effect can in turn combat symptoms of depression and improve quality of life. The antidepressant effects of psilocybin are backed by a number of clinical studies:

1. In patients with depression due to life-threatening diseases, psilocybin treatment reduced symptoms of depression compared to placebo treatment. [1]
2. In patients with major depression who had not responded to antidepressants and electroconvulsive therapy, psilocybin was found to improve the GRID-Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (GRID-HAMD) scores. [2]
3. The administration of psilocybin in individuals with major depression was associated with a reduction in suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviors. [3-4]
4. In patients with life-threatening cancers, treatment with psilocybin was associated with a rapid and sustained symptom reduction in anxiety and depression. [5-7]
5. An analysis of multiple studies concluded that psilocybin could be efficient and useful in depression treatment. [8]
6. In participants with moderate to severe major depressive disorder, psilocybin treatment improved measures of well-being at 12 months such as ratings of personal meaning, spiritual experience, and mystical experience. [9-13]
7. In patients with moderate-to-severe, unipolar, treatment-resistant major depression, the administration of two oral doses of psilocybin (10 mg and 25 mg, 7 days apart) resulted in a marked reduction in depressive symptoms. [14]
8. The administration of psilocybin has also been found to exert antidepressant effects by enhancing positive mood, attenuating responses to fearful stimuli, and increasing feelings of well-being. [15-16]

B. Alleviates Anxiety

The activation of serotonin receptors in the brain by psilocybin can also reduce symptoms of anxiety. Studies show that psilocybin can help alleviate anxiety due to different causes:

1. In patients with depression due to life-threatening diseases, psilocybin treatment reduced symptoms of anxiety compared to placebo treatment. [1]
2. In patients with life-threatening cancers, treatment with psilocybin was associated with a rapid and sustained symptom reduction in anxiety. [5-7]
3. In patients with advanced-stage cancer, a significant reduction in anxiety and improvement in mood at 1 and 3 months after treatment with psilocybin was found. [17]
4. In patients with end-of-life anxiety symptoms, psilocybin-assisted therapy ameliorated anxiety symptoms without serious adverse events. [18-19]
5. Multiple studies found a statistically significant reduction in the symptoms of anxiety after psilocybin treatment. [20-22]

C. Treats Alcohol Addiction

People with alcoholism have altered levels of serotonin – their brains produce and break down serotonin more slowly than non-alcoholics. Psilocybin can help correct this impairment by activating serotonin receptors in the brain. Evidence suggests that psilocybin can help reduce alcohol cravings:

1. In patients with a diagnosis of alcohol dependence, the administration of two doses of psilocybin after psychosocial treatment with motivational enhancement therapy for 4 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in alcohol use. [23]
2. Psilocybin-assisted treatment among individuals with alcohol use disorder was associated with feelings of increased “spaciousness” or mindfulness and increased control over choices and behavior. [24]
3. In patients with alcohol dependence, psilocybin-assisted treatment decreased the prevalence of drinking. [25-26]
4. In patients with alcohol use disorder, psilocybin administered in combination with psychotherapy was associated with decreases in the percentage of heavy drinking days. [27]

D. Aids in Smoking Cessation

Cigarette smoking can decrease serotonin levels by as much as half. Psilocybin can help treat cigarette addiction by activating serotonin receptors in the brain, thus restoring the balance of serotonin in the body. A good deal of evidence supports the benefits of psilocybin on smoking cessation:

1. In psychiatrically healthy nicotine-dependent smokers, the administration of moderate (20 mg/70 kg) and high (30 mg/70 kg) doses of psilocybin for 15 weeks improved the smoking cessation rate. [28]
2. In cigarette smokers, psilocybin-facilitated smoking addiction treatment was associated with long-term smoking abstinence. [29-30]
3. Participants who received psilocybin reported positive changes beyond smoking cessation such as increased aesthetic appreciation, altruism, and pro-social behavior. [31]
4. Psilocybin-associated smoking cessation/reduction among smokers was linked with changes in life priorities/values. [32]
5. Lifetime psilocybin use was associated with a reduced prevalence of current nicotine dependence. [33]

E. Relieves Headaches

Alterations in the levels of serotonin may result in headaches by causing the blood vessels to narrow. Studies show that the ability of psilocybin to restore serotonin levels may offer pain-relieving properties:

1. In adults with migraine, a single administration of psilocybin reduced the frequency of headaches and was well-tolerated. [34]
2. A study reported that psychedelics such as psilocybin may offer pain relief in people with headaches and chronic pain disorders. [35-36]
3. Psilocybin users reported that the treatment aborted headache attacks and was associated with a longer remission (decrease or disappearance in the signs and symptoms). [37]
4. Psilocybin was found to be effective for both prophylactic and acute treatment of cluster headaches and migraines in patients who do not respond to standard treatment. [38-39]
5. In patients with chronic cluster headaches, the administration of three low-to-moderate doses of psilocybin was associated with a reduction in attack frequency. [40]

F. Improves Cognitive Function

The calming effects of psilocybin may help improve various parameters of cognitive function. Studies suggest that it may help treat cognitive dysfunction associated with different medical conditions:

1. The administration of psilocybin (0.17 mg/kg) increased the ratings of (spontaneous) creative insights of the participants. [41]
2. Psilocybin administration in rats with alcoholism may help improve mental health by targeting a common molecular mechanism for cognitive impairment and increased craving. [42]
3. In patients with cognitive dysfunction due to major depressive disorder, psilocybin increased long-term cognitive flexibility which led to normalization of negativity bias and reduction in rumination. [43]
4. In patients with treatment-resistant depression, orally administered psilocybin (10 mg and 25 mg, 7 days apart) was associated with global increases in brain network integration. [44]
5. Psychedelics such as psilocybin have the potential to treat Alzheimer’s disease dementia via stimulation of neurogenesis (formation of new nerve cells) and reducing neuroinflammation. [45]
6. In patients with major depressive disorder, psilocybin therapy increased cognitive and neural flexibility for at least 4 weeks post-treatment. [46]

G. Treats Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety that is usually triggered by a terrifying event. Studies show that the antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects of psilocybin may help treat this disorder:

1. In AIDS survivors, psilocybin therapy reduced PTSD symptoms, attachment anxiety, and demoralization. [47]
2. A study suggested that psychedelics may have the potential to serve as a catalyst for the psychotherapeutic treatment of PTSD. [48]
3. Psilocybin and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy have received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ‘breakthrough therapy’ designation for the treatment of resistant major depressive disorder and PTSD. [49-50]
4. Psilocybin may help treat PTSD by specifically targeting and decreasing fear and anxiety pathways in the brain. [51-53]

H. Treats Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions) and/or behaviors (compulsions) that urge the affected individual to repeat over and over. Studies found that the administration of psilocybin may help reduce these obsessions and compulsions:

1. In a patient who had multiple medication failures in the treatment of OCD, the consumption of approximately 2 g of psilocybin mushrooms reduced the symptoms for the following 3 weeks. [54]
2. In patients with OCD and at least 1 treatment failure (adequate treatment of at least 12 weeks with a serotonin reuptake inhibitor), oral psilocybin administration resulted in a significant decrease in symptoms per the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS). [55-56]
3. In a patient with chronic consumption of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, a significant reduction in OCD symptoms was observed. [57]
4. A recent review of clinical trials found that psilocybin is relatively safe and effective for the reduction of the symptoms of OCD and other psychiatric disorders. [58]
5. Studies showed that the hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin can provide relief from obsessions and compulsions. [59-61]

Associated Side Effects of Psilocybin

Psilocybin side effects are very uncommon. There have been some side effects associated with the use of this drug wherein the patient had one of the issues listed below at some point while being on psilocybin. However, these side effects weren’t confirmed to be associated with the treatment and could have been a coincidence and not related to the use of psilocybin. Despite this, it was listed as a side effect associated with psilocybin even though these associated side effects are very uncommon.

Side effects associated with psilocybin may include the following:

• Confusion
• Dilated pupils
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness and yawning
• Fear
• Hallucinations
• Headache
• High blood pressure
• Lack of coordination
• Muscle weakness
• Nausea
• Paranoia (a feeling of being threatened)
• Unusual body sensations
• Vomiting

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