Should You Do Psychedelic Mushrooms?

References

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The mushroom was more alive and vibrant”: Patient reports of synthetic versus organic forms of psilocybin

Interest in psychedelic research in the West is surging, however, clinical trials have almost exclusively studied synthetic compounds such as MDMA, ketamine, DMT, LSD, ibogaine, and psilocybin. To date, few clinical trials have utilized whole mushroom/plant material like Psilocybe mushrooms, Iboga, or Ayahuasca. Individuals participating in the Roots To Thrive Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for End of Life Distress program were administered synthetic psilocybin, whole Psilocybe cubensis, and mycological extract on separate occasions and post-treatment interview transcripts were qualitatively analyzed to discern themes and patterns. There was broad consensus that all three forms were helpful and similar, all generating visual and perceptual distortions, emotional and cognitive insight, and mystical experiences. However, synthetic psilocybin was said to feel less natural compared to organic forms, and the overall quality of experience of synthetic psilocybin was inferior to the organic forms. Research should be conducted with whole psychedelic mushrooms and extract in addition to synthetic psilocybin given this preliminary data, especially when considering that medicine keepers around the world have utilized whole mushrooms and plant material for millennia.

2024

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Phylogenomics of the psychoactive mushroom genus Psilocybe and evolution of the psilocybin biosynthetic gene cluster

Therapeutic use of psilocybin from “magic mushrooms” is revolutionizing mental health treatment for many conditions, including depression, PTSD, and end-of-life care. However, knowledge of Psilocybe diversity and its evolutionary history is substantially incomplete. Our study presents the most extensive phylogenomic dataset across Psilocybe to date, with 23 samples derived from type specimens. Using ~3,000 single-copy gene families, we recovered a robust and well-supported phylogeny. Mapping psilocybin biosynthetic gene orthologs on the phylogeny revealed two types of gene cluster order corresponding to a deep split in the genus. Molecular dating suggests psilocybin biosynthesis arose in Psilocybe ~67 mya, concurrent with the K-Pg mass extinction event. A significant advancement in the understanding of Psilocybe evolution and psilocybin biosynthesis is presented.

2024

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Psilocybin desynchronizes the human brain

Healthy adults were tracked before, during and for 3 weeks after high-dose psilocybin (25 mg) and methylphenidate (40 mg), and brought back for an additional psilocybin dose 6–12 months later. Psilocybin massively disrupted functional connectivity (FC) in cortex and subcortex, acutely causing more than threefold greater change than methylphenidate. These FC changes were driven by brain desynchronization across spatial scales (areal, global), which dissolved network distinctions by reducing correlations within and anticorrelations between networks. Psilocybin-driven FC changes were strongest in the default mode network, which is connected to the anterior hippocampus and is thought to create our sense of space, time and self.

2024

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Interactions between classic psychedelics and serotonergic antidepressants: Effects on the acute psychedelic subjective experience, well-being and depressive symptoms from a prospective survey study

There is growing evidence for the therapeutic effects of psychedelics. However, it is still uncertain how these drugs interact with serotonergic antidepressants (serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs))

2024

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