How Magic Mushrooms Could Help treat Depression and Anxiety

However, what unites the majority of them is the fact they contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin. And, it is psilocybin that makes magic mushrooms and magic mushroom truffles one of the shining hopes for the future of mental health treatment. 

 

How Magic Mushrooms Could Help Prevent Depression and Anxiety

Depression and anxiety are both blanket terms for very complex conditions. For example depression can have many sources: from trauma, to inherited traits , to illness, to the weather (SAD). The umbrella of Anxiety Disorders covers everything from General Anxiety Disorder, to PTSD, to OCD. 

Due to this, finding the treatment that fits with each individual’s needs can be difficult. The current, most common treatment options, tend to be medications, targeted therapy, or a combination of both. Traditional medications, such as SSRI antidepressants, address the neurotransmitters in your brain that affect the way you feel. However, these medications must be used continuously and may take up to a couple of months to work fully. On top of this, many people experience adverse side-effects when using these medications, from the numbing of all their emotions, to weight gain. For those with treatment-resistant depression, these medications do not work at all. 

 

The root cause of the anxiety or depressive disorder is not addressed by traditional medications either. 

Psilocybin is Being Put to the Test

 

This is where magic mushrooms and magic mushroom truffles come in. The psilocybin contained within them is being put to the test by researchers, scientists, and medical practitioners and is garnering exciting results. These results suggest that magic mushrooms could be on their way to replacing traditional anxiety and depression medications. This is not only due to their effectiveness in treating symptoms of depression and anxiety — they are free of the unpleasant side-effects associated with pharmaceutical medicine. 

Benefits of Magic Mushrooms — The Science

The benefits of magic mushrooms are manifold. Not only have studies found that they are effective in treating depression and anxiety, magic mushrooms can also be applied to many other causes. Firstly we will look at the clinical trials and studies into magic mushrooms that made waves recently. 

A moderate dose of psilocybin can reduce depression for atleast 2 weeks

In a shiny new study published in eClinicalMedicine it was found that magic mushrooms could significantly reduce depressive symptoms. This was at a ‘moderate’, i.e. medium magic mushroom dosage. 

The study consisted of 52 participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder. They were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or a single dose of psilocybin, combined with therapeutic support. The study was ‘double blind’, which means neither the researchers or the participants knew who was receiving the placebo and who was receiving the magic mushroom extract.  

 

The researchers found that psilocybin when combined with therapy was effective in reducing the symptoms of depression. In the time immediately after the intervention, those who had been given psilocybin showed a significant decrease in the severity of their symptoms. This decrease lasted for at least 14 days after said intervention.

Psilocybin is shown to alleviate depression in largest trial yet:

In late 2022 Compass Pathways helmed the largest psilocybin trial to date. 233 people with treatment-resistant depression were enrolled in the study titled ‘Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression’. In the lead up to the study the participants were asked to reduce their usage of antidepressants. Two weeks before the psilocybin session they were expected to have stopped altogether. They were then asked not to take them for 3 weeks after receiving the psilocybin. 

 

The results, described as ‘exceptional’ by Compass Pathway’s chief medical officer Prof Guy Goodwin, showed an almost instantaneous decrease in depression symptoms after a single dose of psilocybin, and therapeutic sessions. The strongest benefit was observed among those who had been given 25 milligrams (the highest dose) of synthetic psilocybin. This equals about 20 – 30 grams of fresh truffles or 4 – 6 grams dried mushrooms.

Magic mushrooms can relieve major depression for a year

In 2022 pioneering psychedelic study institute Johns Hopkins carried out a trial that found psilocybin, from magic mushrooms and magic mushroom truffles, can relieve major depression for up to a year. The study began by seeking out 27 volunteers who have lived with depression long-term. Specifically those who have suffered for at least two years already at the time of testing. 

 

The participants took two full doses of psilocybin under supervision at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. The subjects were also asked to take part in follow-up talk therapy sessions after 24 hours, and then seven days after taking psilocybin. Following the second dose of shrooms, they were given talk therapy one month later, and then three, six, and 12 months after. Only three participants were unable to finish the psilocybin-talk therapy package deal. The remaining 24, however, showed extremely positive results from the psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy setup. In fact the results were even better than imagined.

Dr. Natalie Gukasyan who worked on the study stated:

“Our findings add to the evidence that, under carefully controlled conditions, this is a promising therapeutic approach that can lead to significant and durable improvements in depression.”

These are just a few of the most recent, big name, studies that have come out recently. There are a growing numnber that show the ways in which psilocybin from magic mushrooms and magic mushroom truffles can help to treat depression and anxiety. 

Benefits of Magic Mushrooms — At Home

One of the novel things about magic mushrooms and magic mushroom truffles is that you can be relatively independent in your usage of them. They are not based on prescription or access given by a doctor.  There are many different magic mushroom types, and you can choose between magic truffles or a magic mushroom grow kit. 

The great thing about this, is that if you are using psilocybin to alleviate milder symptoms or just to boost your mood, you are in control. Many people take magic mushrooms, or magic mushroom truffles as a microdose to improve mood, reduce anxiety, tap into their creativity, and focus better. 

This overall feeling of wellness provided by microdosing can actually be a preventative measure against depression and/or anxiety. A happier ‘baseline’ reduces the possibility of significant dips of mood or bouts of anxiety. 

Magic Mushroom Dosage

A higher magic mushroom dosage — enough to make you trip — can also improve quality of life. Mystical experiences and feelings of one-ness with the world are shown to benefit one’s overall outlook and self-reported happiness. These stronger psychedelic trips can also be achieved from magic mushroom truffles or shrooms from a magic mushroom grow kit. It all depends on your magic mushroom dosage. 

Here is our magic mushroom dosage chart for reference:

It lists fresh magic mushroom truffles, dried magic mushrooms, and fresh magic mushrooms. These all will have different potencies, and hence, different dosage amounts. Fresh magic mushroom truffles can be consumed straight from the package. Fresh magic mushrooms can be harvested and consumed directly from your magic mushroom grow kit (after cleaning). For dried magic mushrooms you must harvest from your magic mushroom grow kit, and leave them in a warm place until they are ‘cracker’ dry. 

There are many different magic mushroom types. These will also affect your trip or microdose as they vary in potency and effect. So how do you pick which magic mushroom type? 

Picking Your Magic Mushroom Type

When you buy one of our magic mushroom grow kits you can pick the growkit for your needs. For those who are hoping to treat some of the effects of anxiety and/or depression and are new to magic mushrooms, it is best to start with a milder strain type.

Mildest magic mushroom types: Psilocybe mexicana is our best magic mushroom type for newbies, or those who want to take it a bit easy. They are also an ideal choice for microdosing. 

Medium strength magic mushroom types: Our Thai, Colombians, Golden Teacher and Ecuadorian strains are the medium strength choice from our magic mushroom grow kits. These are good for a moderate trip, which can have lasting effects on depression and anxiety. (Note: it’s also fun!)

Strongest magic mushroom types: The strongest, most potent shrooms you can get in our magic mushroom grow kits are B+, Cambodians, Mazatapec and McKennaii. These are best for deep, introspective, spiritual, and often life-changing trips. If you are using them for anxiety related issues, it’s best to make sure you are feeling good on the day of use. 

Summary: How Magic Mushrooms Could Help Prevent Depression and Anxiety

• • Studies have shown that psilocybin from magic mushrooms is effective in treating depression and anxiety. 

• • There are many benefits of magic mushrooms, such as improved mood, enhanced creativity, increased focus, and overall feelings of wellbeing. 

• • Taking magic mushrooms could potentially be a preventative measure against depression and anxiety by improving your baseline wellbeing. 

• • You can grow magic mushrooms at home, or buy fresh magic truffles. 

• • Your chosen magic mushroom dosage affects your experience. Microdosing and macro-dosing have different benefits.