The Sanctuary Wellness Institute does not offer Psilocybin Therapy. This web page is meant for informational use only.
Psilocybin for Anxiety
Updated September 11, 2024
Are you suffering from anxiety? Do you feel overwhelmed with stres?
A natural substance called psilocybin has been used for a very long time as a powerful medicine for depression, anxiety, and even cancer. In fact, psilocybin mushrooms are also known as "magic mushrooms" because they were once thought to be a magical cure for mental illness.
Today, thanks to clinical trials, scientists are finally beginning to understand how psilocybin works and why it helps people overcome anxiety and depression. In addition, studies suggest that psilocybin may help treat alcoholism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and even end-of-life anxiety.
If you suffer from anxiety, depression, or any mental health issue, you owe it to yourself to try psilocybin to improve your well-being. It's safe, legal, and effective. And unlike many prescription drugs such as antidepressants or SSRIs, the use of psilocybin doesn't cause any bothersome side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, or nausea.
What is Psilocybin?
Psychedelic mushrooms are fungi that contain a psychoactive compound called psilocybin.
These plants, also known as “shrooms,” grow naturally throughout the world and are often used in religious ceremonies. In recent decades, scientists have studied psychedelic mushrooms because of their potential medical benefits.
Some people use psychedelics to treat addiction, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Others use them to explore spirituality and creativity.
Anxiety Symptoms
Even though anxiety symptoms are different for each person, anxiety generally makes the body react in specific ways. When you are worried, your body goes on high alert. It scans the environment for possible dangers and turns on your fight or flight mechanisms.
Here are some of the most common signs of anxiety:
- Trembling or muscle twitching
- Difficulty concentrating
- Nervousness, restlessness, or being tense
- Feelings of danger, panic, or dread
- Rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, or hyperventilation
- Increased or heavy sweating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea
- A strong desire to stay away from the things that make you anxious
- Obsessions over certain concepts, an indication of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and repetition of certain actions
- A sign of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety related to a certain prior life event or experience (PTSD)
Can Psilocybin Treat Anxiety?
Psychedelic drugs such as LSD, magic mushrooms, and ayahuasca have been used for centuries across cultures around the world. These substances can cause hallucinations, altered states of consciousness, and profound changes in perception.
Some researchers believe that psychedelic drugs could one day play a role in treating mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
A recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that psilocybin — the active ingredient in certain types of hallucinogenic mushrooms — might be able to help people with treatment-resistant depression.
In the study, participants received either a single dose of psilocybin or a placebo. Afterward, they reported feeling less anxious and depressed.
Researchers also observed positive effects on mood and behavior. The findings suggest that psilocybin could be useful in helping people overcome addiction.
Meanwhile, another study found that psilocin, another compound in some types of hallucinogens, helps reduce symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
There is still research needed to understand how these drugs affect the brain and what benefits they offer. However, there are promising signs that psychedelic drugs could someday become part of our medical arsenal against mental illness.
Microdosing
The term “microdosing” refers to taking small amounts of psychedelics like LSD or psilocybin mushrooms. People typically take one dose per week, and some even go months without taking another one.
Some people report positive effects, while others experience negative ones. For example, many people feel relaxed and calm after taking microdoses. Others report increased creativity and productivity. Still, others claim to see colors during microdosing sessions.
But there is little scientific evidence about microdosing. Most studies are case reports or anecdotal experiences. Anecdotal accounts aren't enough to prove anything.
There is very little research on the topic. One study found that microdosers reported feeling less anxious and depressed and had fewer obsessive thoughts. Another study found that microdosing led to improvements in mood and cognition.
However, neither study looked at whether microdosers actually performed better at work.
Benefits of taking Psilocybin for Anxiety
Serotonin, a chemical messenger crucial in mood regulation, and psilocybin have some similarities. For example, anxiety and sadness can result from serotonin levels that are low or unbalanced.
However, because mushrooms have an impact on your body's serotonergic system, they may be able to help your serotonin levels return to normal.
Psilocybin Side Effects
Some of the most typical adverse effects are confusion, fear, hallucinations, headaches, high blood pressure, nausea, and paranoia. However, physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms don't seem to be serious issues.
The available credible data cannot determine whether psilocybin is safe to use at any level, including microdoses, without a doctor's supervision.
There is also insufficient trustworthy data to determine whether psilocybin is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Therefore, avoid using it to be on the safe side.
Should You Take Psilocybin for Your Anxiety?
Evidence from primarily small observational studies suggests that taking tiny doses of psilocybin, the hallucinogenic component of magic mushrooms, can enhance cognitive function and lessen depressive and anxiety symptoms.
According to these findings, a broad study now demonstrates that people who took psilocybin in small doses for a month had better moods and had a higher decrease in anxiety, sadness, and stress than those who did not.
Notably, those with mental health issues also experienced the benefits of microdosing psilocybin for their mental health and mood.
A major study just published in the journal Scientific Reports found that people who took microdoses of psilocybin had bigger changes in their mental health and mood than those who didn't.
Co-author Joseph Rootman, working on his Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia, said the study was "the largest longitudinal study to date" on microdosing psilocybin. Also, it was one of the few studies with a control group.
Who shouldn’t take psilocybin?
There is little evidence of addiction amongst those who take it recreationally. But if you have bipolar disorder, psilocybin may cause you to have increased anxiety during your journey trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reishi, Lion's Mane, and Cordyceps are the three types of mushrooms believed to be the most effective in treating anxiety.
Psychedelics and mental diseases are connected because psychedelics can lead to long-term psychosis. Visual disturbances, flashbacks, erratic thinking, paranoia, anxiety, and mood swings characterize long-term psychosis.
In addition, they are able to create hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), which is characterized by strong hallucinations as well as visual problems.
This not only has the potential to make a person's mental health worse, but it also has the potential to significantly influence a person who already battles with a mental disorder such as anxiety.
Psychedelic research has shown that psychedelic experiences have the potential to enact long-lasting changes in the brain.
Even a single dose of these mind-altering chemicals can cause neurons to sprout additional offshoots and branches, known as dendritic trees and trees, which interact with their neighbors.
This can result in the formation of complex networks of brain cells that are linked to one another. This rebuilding of neuronal circuitry helps to improve mood, fight depression, and give a general sense of increased wellness.
It may take only a few days, but the positive effects may continue for several weeks.
Two mushroom types are recommended to help treat major depressive disorder. First, Cordyceps aids in combating both mental and physical exhaustion.
This mushroom extract boosts energy production, making it an appropriate treatment for both mental and physical tiredness, a symptom of depression.
Second, Reishi is renowned for its relaxing qualities and therapeutic effects.
It has a class of proteins that function as neurotransmitters and endorphin precursors, thus reducing anxiety. This mushroom extract can promote the healthy functioning of brain neurotransmitters.
As always, though, you should consult a healthcare professional before taking mushrooms to treat any condition.
Psychedelic therapy (also known as psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy or psilocybin-assisted therapy) is a psychiatric practice in which a psychedelic substance is consumed as part of a psychotherapeutic procedure. There is a robust body of scientific evidence affirming psilocybin’s therapeutic potential for people with conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, and certain life-threatening illnesses.
The use of psychedelics is frequently paired with talk therapy in this treatment method.