A study revealed that psilocybin mushrooms – often referred to as magic mushrooms – contain compounds that have the potential to overcome depression. The compound, named after the fungus – psilocybin – along with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is categorized as a psychedelic drug, a type of drug used to change the mood. Its reputation as a psychedelic often makes psilocybin juxtaposed with illegal drugs. Many people are wondering whether can you overdose on shrooms or it is perfectly safe because nowadays scientists start to use this for medical purposes.
But who would have thought, a study published in the journal Psychoactive Drugs confirmed its function as an antidepressant. The study showed that depressed patients taking psilocybin along with several supportive therapies showed progress. This was indicated by the improved connection between parts of the brain. “Psilosibina therapy has been proven safe in several studies in various patient populations,” said researcher Kelan Thomas from Touro University California, as quoted by Science Alert. Compared to other forms of treatment, psilocybin produces better effects. So, this can be an alternative for patients who have failed to respond to treatment or other procedures. “The advantage of psilocybin-assisted therapy is that it only requires a few sessions of dosing and the effect lasts longer than other treatments,” Thomas and other researchers wrote in his report. However, psilocybin is not intended for independent consumption. Because there is no strong evidence of use without a therapy session.
However, the benefits proven through this research offer hope. Researchers still need to continue clinical research to the next stage. At present, clinical trials are in phase two, to reveal the efficacy of the drug. The researcher will proceed to stage 3 to confirm effectiveness. Rigorous testing is indeed necessary because of the reputation of psilocybin as a dangerous drug. Making psilocybin medicine is like changing the perception that cannabis is beneficial, not just a trigger for addiction.