Beyond Traditional Therapy: Mushrooms’ Active Compounds Show Promise for Anxiety Management
Scientific Evidence for Mushrooms
There is some proof that mushrooms can help with stress. The active ingredient in magic mushrooms, psilocybin, has been shown to help people and animals feel less anxious.
Clinical Study Results
In one study, people with an anxiety disorder who were given psilocybin had a lot fewer anxiety symptoms than people who were given a fake drug. Psilocybin also had long-lasting effects. People who took part in the study said they felt less anxious for up to six months after the study ended.
Benefits for Cancer Patients
Psilocybin has been shown in another study to help people with cancer feel less anxious. Participants in the study who were given psilocybin had a lot less anxiety symptoms than those who were given a fake drug.
Case Study of a Teenager
A study from 2021 talks about a 16-year-old boy who went to a psychiatric clinic because he was having trouble with school, staying in touch with people, and feeling anxious all the time. He had trouble learning, wasn’t interested in doing schoolwork, did poorly in school, and felt alone among his classmates and teachers. The move to a different school did not make things better.
Group Therapy Challenges
The teen started going to a psychotherapeutic group, but it was hard for him to talk to other members and share his feelings, so he often skipped sessions out of anxiety. He used marijuana sometimes, but it didn’t help him deal with his anxiety or do better at work. After a friend offered him psilocybin, he ate two grams of Psilocybe mushrooms three times over the course of 18 months, which is equal to 20 to 30 mg of the drug.
Transcendent Experiences
The person said they felt awe and transcendence after taking the drug. After this, he took part in group activities more often, talked to other people in the group better, let his feelings out without holding back, and felt less anxious.
Remarkable Therapeutic Effects
No one has yet reported that the results of group therapy got better so quickly and clearly. This isn’t even true: therapy by itself hasn’t been shown to cause such sudden and long-lasting changes in mood.
Additional Research Resources
Visit https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8596485 for more information.
How Psilocybin Works
The exact way that psilocybin lowers anxiety is still not fully understood. But it is thought to work by making the prefrontal cortex work harder. This is a part of the brain that controls emotions. Psilocybin may also help lower anxiety by making it easier for brain cells to talk to each other.
Important Safety Considerations
It is important to remember that psilocybin is a strong psychedelic drug that should only be used with the help of a trained therapist. Some bad things can happen when you use psilocybin, like having anxiety attacks or flashbacks.
Medical Advice
If you want to use mushrooms to help with your anxiety, you should talk to your doctor first. They will be able to help you decide if psilocybin is right for you and show you how to use it safely.
Alternative Stress-Relief Methods
Here are some more ways to calm down:
Exercise Benefits
Work out: Working out is a great way to calm down. Endorphins are chemicals that make you feel good.
Meditation Practices
Meditation: It is said to help clear your mind and lower stress. Find a way to meditate that works for you.
Yoga for Mind and Body
Yoga: Yoga is a practice for the mind and body that can help you feel less anxious. It combines different body positions with meditation and breathing exercises.
Sleep Importance
In order to deal with stress and anxiety better, make sure you get enough sleep. Try to get between 7 and 8 hours of sleep each night.
Dietary Considerations
Maintain a healthy diet: A healthy diet can help you feel better and lower your stress. Eat lots of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Cut down on alcohol and caffeine: Both caffeine and alcohol can make anxiety worse. If you’re anxious, you should stay away from these things.
Professional Support
Talk to a therapist. If you’re having trouble with anxiety, it can help to talk to a therapist. They can teach you ways to deal with problems and help you handle your anxiety.
It is important to get help if you are having anxiety. You don’t have to go through this alone, and there are many treatments that work.
References
1. National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2021). Psilocybin research in anxiety disorders. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8596485
2. Griffiths, R. R., Johnson, M. W., Carducci, M. A., Umbricht, A., Richards, W. A., Richards, B. D., Cosimano, M. P., & Klinedinst, M. A. (2016). Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial.
