Psilocybin for Depression – How it Can Help
If you’re not familiar with the term psilocybin yet, it might not be too long until you hear the word more often. That’s because the compound found in magic mushrooms is being thoroughly researched for therapeutic use. Most notably psilocybin is showing effectiveness at treating one of the most treatment-resistant conditions out there – depression.
Depression is a wide-ranging disorder that affects about 5.4% of Canada’s population over the age of 15. For adults, it affects one of every eight Canadians. But as psilocybin undergoes a legalization movement, do you really know how it can help the widespread condition? Here we’ll explore how psilocybin is being investigated, and legalized for depression, and depressive types of disorders.
What is Psilocybin?
Psilocybin For Depression – How It Can Help
Psilocybin is the scientific term for the compound found in magic mushrooms that gives you hallucinogenic or feel-good feels. When digested psilocybin transforms into psilocin which internally offsets a number of reactions or interactions that can positively influence the mind especially.
It does so primarily by interacting and directly affecting neural pathways in the brain, that are responsible for communication and other functions. Specifically, in the prefrontal cortex part of the brain. This area is most notorious for homing the ‘ego’ of a person. Or, your sense of self. This area of the brain is also said to be primarily responsible for helping regulate perceptions, mood, abstract thinking, and thoughtful analysis.
Most notable of interactions for psilocybin and depression is the compound’s effects on serotonin. The receptor 5HT2A, or serotonin is often called the ‘happy chemical’ for its role in promoting the overall ‘feel good’ feeling. So, next, let’s go more in-depth into the research we know so far on how psilocybin is helping symptoms of depression.
How does Psilocybin Help Depression?
A breakthrough study conducted in 2016 by the Beckley Foundation showed psilocybin had a positive effect on those who had depression. Of the patients researched, 67% were symptom-free after just 1 week of use. After 3 months had passed, 42% of the same patients still reported reduced symptoms.
An earlier study conducted in 2006 proved the efficacy of microdosing for elevating moods. This research showed that this method of dosing had an uplifting effect that wasn’t too overwhelming for patients. The majority reported they benefited from positive social and mood effects.
As you may know already, Canada recently approved the use of psilocybin for terminally ill patients. Which has stemmed from a plethora of research showing the compound can help those facing the ‘end-of-life’. One study, specifically researched cancer patients. This research reported that 60-80% of its participants had improved moods and less depression that lasted up to 6 months after dosing.
How to Consume Psilocybin
Psilocybin For Depression – How It Can Help
Luckily, in the modern world of alternative healing – technology has helped advance the variety of psilocybin products available on the market to help depression symptoms, today. Not to mention, psilocybin is more accessible now than ever, with online retailers like GreenZ delivering goods to your door, and retail storefronts being found throughout Canada, too. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most popular psilocybin products available today, in case you’re opposed to trying the traditional method of the magic mushrooms you may be used to.
Dried or fresh shrooms
Like cannabis flower for the weed world, the OG fresh or dried shrooms route is preferred by many but mostly for those who are using magic mushrooms more recreationally. While there are now a variety of species available to consume for varied effects, it can be harder to accurately dose with this method – again, just like flower for weed. The most popular magic mushrooms strains for therapeutic and recreational effects include –
Each varied species come from different areas of the world and will have different strengths or potencies.
Infused capsules
Since psilocybin can be extracted from magic mushrooms, the compound is able to be infused into other products or contained in capsule form. To make it easier for medical patients consuming psilocybin for depression, many brands have developed these types of caps to be taken like any other vitamin or supplement. Again, because different species have different types and because the capsules are medically formulated, they can provide different effects. Like the Osmosis brand, and the types they offer including –
- 6 Mushroom Blend
- Rest & Relax Microdosing
- Focus Microdosing
- Brain Boost Microdosing
- Stress Less Microdosing
Microdosing refers to the consumption of small doses, to receive the medical and therapeutic effects of psilocybin and magic mushrooms without too high of hallucinogenic or ‘trippy’ effects. Once popularized in the ‘hippie’ movement of the 60’s and 70’s, the way of dosing is back again.
Infused edibles
Following the route of many cannabis brands, psilocybin is now being infused into edible goods like gummies and chocolate bars. In the same way, capsules are infused, the extracted psilocybin compound is equally distributed into accurate doses and specific species effects. This is a preferred method of medical users the same as capsules are, for microdosing purposes. Plus, it allows users to avoid the taste of dried magic mushrooms which can be off-putting for some. A few examples of psilocybin infused edible goods include –
- Penis Envy Chocolate
- Golden Teachers Chocolate
- African Transkei Chocolate
- Big Mex Chocolate
- Alcabenzi Chocolate
- MasterMind Dark Chocolate
- MasterMind Milk Chocolate
- MasterMind Cookies & Cream
- MasterMind Chocolate Shroomicorns
- Osmosis Psilocybin Gummies
A Magical Way of Healing
What’s old is new again, with using the ancient form of magic mushrooms for modern-day medicine. Turns out the fungi, and its compound psilocybin, when used appropriately and medically can be quite helpful at addressing the symptoms of depression. Along with mood disorders in general.
While the research on psilocybin is fairly fresh, the early finds are making medical experts quite hopeful it could be an alternative source of relief for many. Or, you could say – a magical way of healing. If you’re interested in safely self-exploring with psilocybin and need trusted goods, from vetted and premium breeders – look no further, than Greenz’s psilocybin collection. We offer the most notable magic mushroom species for therapeutic effects, and easy to consume options like psilocybin infused gel caps and chocolates.
