Do Psychedelic Mushrooms Work and What Are Their Health Benefits?
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, work by altering perception and consciousness. They have been found to have potential health benefits, including reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety and aiding in addiction recovery. However, more research is needed to fully understand their effects and potential risks, and whether psychedelic mushroom gummies have the same benefits.
To understand whether psychedelic mushrooms work, and, if so, what effects you can expect, it is first important to understand what psychedelic mushrooms are.
What Are Psychedelic Mushrooms?
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as "shrooms" or "magic mushrooms," are a type of fungi that contain hallucinogenic compounds called psilocin or psilocybin [1].
Psychedelic mushroom stimulate serotonin receptors in the brain. This leads to an altered state of consciousness and changes in perception, thinking, and emotion [2]. Magic mushrooms can stimulate increased connection to others and feelings of “oceanic boundlessness”, referring to engrossment in one’s surroundings [3].
They are different to nootropic mushrooms, which are associated with cognitive enhancement and do not cause hallucinations or altered states of consciousness.
The term "psychedelic" comes from the Greek for "mind manifesting," reflecting the subjective effects of these substances. Psychedelics, including psychedelic mushrooms, can be referred to as hallucinogens, entheogens, and empathogens. This reflects the range of phenomenological experiences they elicit and indicates their broad-spectrum neurobiological properties [2].
How Are Psychedelic Mushrooms Eaten?
Psychedelic mushrooms can be consumed in various ways, including eating dried mushrooms, brewing mushrooms in hot water as tea, adding dried or powdered mushrooms to juice and other foods, or taking a capsule of powdered mushrooms [1].
The effects of these hallucinogens on the central nervous system occur rapidly, within 0.5-1 hour after taking the dose. This depends on how much food you have eaten, your metabolism of psilocybin, and the dose taken [4].
Benefits of Psychedelic Mushrooms?
Psychedelic mushrooms, specifically those containing psilocybin, have a range of potential health benefits. In the past, they have been used for self-exploration and ceremonial purposes. In the last decade, several studies have been published supporting the use of psilocybin in major depression, OCD, anxiety [5], terminal cancer depression [6], alcohol use disorder and preliminarily also anorexia nervosa.
Aside from mental health conditions, psychedelics could also be used to alleviate pain-related conditions, such as headaches or neuropathic pain [7].
Critically, the psilocybin used in these studies has been strictly controlled and administered in a supportive therapeutic setting. Studies are underway in San Francisco to separate the health benefits of psychedelics from the therapeutic support. Until the results are in, psychedelic mushrooms must not be used as a treatment for mental or physical health conditions without the support of a licensed healthcare professional [1, 6].
Side Effects of Psychedelic Mushrooms
While psylocybin and magic mushrooms may have some benefits, it is important to remember that these psychedelics are Schedule I substances, which means it is illegal to consume psilocybin or psilocybin-containing compounds.
Additionally, taking psychedelics can cause various side effects, lead to unpredictable behaviour, and even death. The use of psychedelic is dangerous.
Microdosing Psychedelic Mushrooms
Microdosing is a practice where small doses of psychedelics are taken at more frequent intervals. Opportunistic samples and self-reports have found that micro-dosing alleviates sub-clinical anxiety, improves mood, boost creativity, and increases energy [5]
However, placebo effects have not been eliminated from these self-reported findings. Expectancy effects could explain many of the benefits of microdosing on psychedelics [8].
Psychedelic Mushroom Gummies: Do They Work?
Psychedelic mushroom gummies would work if they contained psilocybin. However, psychedelics are Schedule I substances, which means it is illegal to consume psilocybin or psilocybin-containing compounds.
To date, there have not been any studies looking at the effects of psychedelics in the form of gummies. Therefore, the effects are likely to be similar to taking psychedelic mushrooms in the form of dried mushrooms, tea, pills or adding them to a food or beverage. The effects of psychedelic mushroom gummies may include:[9]
- Euphoria
- Altered perception, including increased vividity of colour
- Increased connection to others
- Slowing of time
- Mood changes
Magic mushroom gummies have also been sold, including the Amanita muscaria mushroom species, for which the psychedelic effects last longer but have a higher risk of toxicity [10].
Summary: Psychedelic Mushroom Gummies
To summarise, psychedelic mushroom gummies are a type of edible candy containing the Schedule I illegal substance psilocybin. Therefore psychedelic mushroom gummies should not be taken recreationally.
However, the physical and psychological benefits of psychedelic mushroom gummies are similar to those of taking psilocybin in generic forms and could have mood-boosting and anti-anxiety effects. These effects, if administered in a safe and controlled setting, have the potential to alleviate symptoms of multiple mental health conditions.
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