Psilocybin Therapy for Mental Health

Psilocybin Therapy for Mental Health

When early psychedelic pioneers like Timothy Leary or Albert Hofmann began researching and experimenting with psilocybin during the 1950’s and 1960’s, it became apparent that most of their findings about magic mushrooms’ impact on human mental health were overwhelmingly positive^[1].  Early studies have been supported by modern research as findings suggest that people who microdose psilocybin or other psychedelics experience a wide range of benefits.  Improved mood, a reduction in depressive states, decreased anxiety and an increase in creativity and introspective thoughts are just some of the common advantages to microdosing psychedelics.  Across the board, researchers are looking at substances like “magic mushrooms”, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), mescaline, ayahuasca and even DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) in a different light.  Instead of labelling these substances as merely illicit, recreational drugs meant for instigating states of illusion and escape, researchers and diligent advocates of psychedelics, like Graham Hancock, are opening the doors to new opportunities with their studies.

^[1] Leary, T., Litwin, G. H., & Metzner, R. (1963). Reactions to psilocybin administered in a supportive environment. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 137(6), 561–573

Microdosing, or consuming large amounts of psychedelics has been shown to be medically viable and A beneficial treatment for some very serious mental disorders and neurological diseases.  PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Schizophrenia, Anxiety and Stress Disorders and many more mental health conditions can be positively impacted by consuming psilocybin.  Before we dive too deep down the rabbit hole of consciousness and neurological health, it is important to understand what puts the “magic” in magic mushrooms.

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WHAT ARE MAGIC MUSHROOMS?

Magic mushrooms have been a well-known recreational drug for many decades, but did you know that “shrooms” are gaining traction in the medical community as an effective remedy and supplement for mental health? The magic of mushrooms has been studied by many researchers, particularly in recent years as many people have taken to microdosing certain species of fungi containing psilocybin.  Psilocybin and its metabolite psilocin are the active compounds that create the “magic” of magic mushrooms.  There are many types of magic mushrooms – over 180 in fact – that contain psilocybin in some form.  Many of these kinds of mushrooms can be found in the wild, but most cannot be consumed in their raw form as many species of fungi can be toxic/poisonous to humans and animals. Psilocybin has become one of the fastest growing and most popular trends in the realm of psychedelics, specifically in the field of microdosing.  Microdosing psychedelics consists of taking small, consistent doses of psychedelic substances like LSD, psilocybin or mescaline. The aim is to benefit from the positive influences on mental health of these substances, without experiencing the potent psychoactive effects they’re normally attributed with.

What is the history of magic mushrooms? Although microdosing seems to be a more recent phenomenon, many ancient cultures have shown an affinity for psychedelics, particular medicinal use of mushrooms like psilocybe cubensis (most common “magic mushroom”).  Throughout history and all over the world numerous peoples and even many wild animals have taken to consuming certain magic mushrooms for their hallucinogenic or psychedelic properties. In fact, there’s archaeological evidence that has dated human cultivation and harvesting of psilocybin as far back as 5000 BCE! Throughout the globe there are numerous cultures that have adopted mushrooms and their potent hallucinogenic effects into spiritual rituals, religious iconography and cultural art.  Magic mushrooms have cast a spell on humankind for many millennia, and it appears that numerous species of fungi have had profound impacts on human history, society, social structures and art.

Going back even further in the timeline of human evolution, Terence McKenna’s “Stoned Ape Theory” suggests that early human ancestors might have been the first to consume magic mushrooms on a regular basis.  These pre-humans are hypothesized to have had their evolution profoundly influenced by psilocybin and psychedelics, leading to McKenna’s assertion that mushrooms and their impacts on the mind and body have played a major part in leading to humans of today.  It should be noted that this magical story of magic mushrooms and early humans is not widely accepted as of yet, but as more evidence surfaces and extending research looks at the interactions between mushroom and man, this idea has continued to take root in the scientific community.

Psilocybin – the active compound that is essentially the “magic” in the mushrooms – was first isolated and discovered by Dr. Albert Hofmann, the same psychedelic pioneer who developed LSD in the late 1950’s.  This Swiss pioneer is considered by many proponents of psychedelics to be the “godfather of magic mushrooms”, and his work kickstarted our growing fascination for this unique plant compound as well as the entire exploration of psychedelics.  Gordon Wasson, another “godfather” of the magic mushroom movement of the modern era, was a prominent businessperson of J.P. Morgan repute.  He became obsessed with the notion of psychedelics and forayed into the heartland of Mexico & South America to discover more about the mysterious Mazatec tribe who were known to partake of psychedelic mushrooms.  Wasson later published an article in Time Magazine that detailed his experiences with magic mushrooms, titled: “Seeking the Magic Mushroom”.  From this point, Wasson ignited the fires of intrigue in many researchers and prominent members of the scientific community at the time, including Harvard University researchers Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert.  These scholars were consequently fired from the prestigious university for dabbling in illicit substances, but both men continued to pioneer the use and study of psilocybin well into the 1960’s.

Psilocybin is currently illegal and deemed a “controlled substance” in most countries, but Brazil, Jamaica, the Netherlands and the British Virgin Islands have legalized magic mushrooms in some forms.  Currently, there is a strong push for medical research that aims to legalize psilocybin and other psychedelics for licensed medical users to utilize.  Just like they did with cannabis, certain cities in Colorado – like Denver – are leading the charge towards U.S. legalization and normalization of psilocybin in modern society.  There are so many potential medical benefits to magic mushrooms that it seems to be only a matter of time before legislators catch up to the growing number of people who rely on psilocybin for their health & well-being.

What kinds of magic mushrooms are there? Most magic mushrooms often share similarities in their appearance once harvested, but in their natural environment they can be difficult to distinguish due to their variability.  Most mushrooms containing psilocybin consist of long grey or white stems, with brown, red or grayish caps but there is no template for what a magic mushroom and edible mushrooms may look like.  The types of magic mushrooms that are most common and that you should look out for are:

• Amanita Muscaria: A distinctly red and white magic mushroom that contains many psychedelic compounds (psilocybin, ibotenic acid and muscimol)
• Psilocybe cubensis: The most common and well-known psilocybin mushroom
• Psilocybe azurescens: A species discovered by the mushroom guru himself, Paul Stamets, azurescens contains the most potent levels of psilocybin of all the fungi that are currently known
• Psilocybe cyanescens: Somewhat more potent than cubensis, cyanescens is widely cultivated and is known to be easy to harvest on account of its smaller size

It is advised that you do not pick or eat mushrooms in the wild unless you’re experienced at identifying fungi or can provide the mushrooms to a professional who is.  Many other species of mushrooms can be toxic or even fatal, so it’s very important that you take precautions and get training if you’re interested in wild mushroom picking.

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HOW TO MICRODOSE & SUPPORT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

If you’re not looking to journey into the wilderness to find some magic mushrooms of your own, there are a growing number of online retailers with psilocybin products available.  Limitless Rx is made up of a team of expert cGMP’s that have researched magic mushrooms and combined psilocybin with other beneficial inputs such as CBD (Cannabidiol), Cordyceps and Lion’s Mane.  When you buy magic mushrooms online in Canada, you can find the quality products and the information you need to safely and effectively microdose with psilocybin from Limitless-Rx.com.  Order magic mushrooms online today from Limitless, and experience the difference of the brain-boosting powers of psilocybin, without going through the psychoactive influences of a shroom trip.

Microdosing mushrooms like psilocybe cubensis (“magic mushrooms”) has quickly become a fascinating and popular way to boost your creativity, enhance your mental focus and help against the crippling effects of depression, anxiety and mental illness.

What does ‘microdosing mushrooms’ mean? The core concept of microdosing is to obtain the benefits of a particular substance – in this case, psilocybin – without experiencing some of the perceived “negative effects”, such as the psychedelic or psychoactive experiences brought on by consuming these kinds of mushrooms.  For some, psychedelics are not inherently negative; in fact many people advocate that substances like psilocybin, LSD and DMT have positive and life-changing impacts on our consciousness, mental health and overall well-being.  That being said, many people have little-to-no experience with psychedelics, and including them in their day-to-day lives can seem like a daunting task.

Still, there are a number of benefits to mental health and behavioral disorders to be had when you consume psilocybin. Do you suffer from a lack of energy, diminishing creativity, and an overall sense of mental fatigue? Maybe you have been diagnosed with severe Depression, Anxiety Disorder or PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)? You might be blessed with good health, but you’ve always sought a greater connection with your consciousness or the spiritual realm? The practice of taking very small, consistent doses of this unique plant compound has been shown to impact all of these examples in a profound way.  Microdosed mushrooms can enhance your life in subtle ways, or it can change the way you feel at a fundamental level – the choice is up to you, but most importantly you don’t have to go on a psychedelic trip to experience the benefits of psilocybin.

How does microdosing magic mushrooms impact your health? Just like with many mental disorders, the chemical in the brain that microdosing mushrooms impacts the most is serotonin.  This crucial neuro-chemical affects almost everything we do, including our emotional responses, our social behavior and mood, our cognitive function, memory and even our motivations (desires).  Imbalances in serotonin have been linked to many mental illness and behavioral disorders, so it rings true that any substance that can influence your brain’s serotonin levels can have a significant impact on your mental health & well-being.

Psychedelic substances like LSD and psilocybin share a similar molecular structure to serotonin, and so they also share many similar pathways throughout the brain.  Basically, because psilocybin mimics the structure of serotonin, it can in a sense fill in for it or boost its availability wherever a deficiency might exist.  Microdosing psilocybin essentially boosts the brain’s ability to transmit neurons across its neural network, while also connecting parts of the brain that might not typically communicate with one another.

There are a lot of benefits to microdosing psilocybin, but chief among them are:

• Improved mood, memory, energy
• Reduced instances/impact of Depression, PTSD
• Increased productivity, cognition, physical coordination
• Lessened anxiety, stress
• Decreased impacts of ADHD
• Enhanced focus, mental sharpness
• Improved motivation, increased desire/drive/alacrity

Essentially, taking microdoses of magic mushrooms works to lessen undesirable states (depression, anxiety, mental disorders) while enhancing desirable states (positive moods, creativity, motivation).  It might seem counter intuitive at first, but the idea of microdosing psychedelics like psilocybin is to subvert your perceptions of their effects.  You shouldn’t notice the effects of psilocybin, but you will feel the difference it can have on your mental health, mood and cognitive abilities.

Where can you buy microdosing mushrooms? The only place to buy microdose mushrooms is online.  Microdosing magic mushrooms is currently being reviewed in clinical trials, but until its benefits become more widespread as the research pours in, you can buy microdose capsules of psilocybin online at Limitless Rx.  Limitless Rx’s lineup of quality products were formulated by an experienced team of cGMP drug researchers, whose aims are to improve your cognition, creativity and well-being.  When you buy microdose capsules from Limitless Rx, you’re getting the energy recharge, the improved focus, enhanced creativity, and balanced mood you need to achieve your goals.

Shroomz combines their controlled microdoses of psilocybin with mental-boosting essentials like Lion’s Mane & Cordyceps fungi, as well as non-psychoactive CBD (Cannabidiol).  Reduce your reliance on harmful medications or addictive substances like alcohol, and unlock the limitless potential of your empowered mind. Take Limitless Rx microdosed psilocybin capsules today, and start living life Limitless.

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