Psychology | Magic Mushrooms In Therapy: A Psychedelic Revolution

Believe it or not, magic mushrooms and humans share an interconnected history spanning millennia. This connection is vividly illustrated in prehistoric cave art scattered across the northern regions of Eurasia, evidence that anthropologists have linked to their use in religious and ceremonial events.

The modern rediscovery of these fungi came through the work of Gordon Wasson, an ethnomycologist. In 1955, Wasson and his wife participated in a traditional mushroom ceremony, which he documented in a Life magazine article. This report is said to have caught the attention of the infamous Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann (the discoverer of LSD), who successfully isolated psilocybin and psilocin—the active compounds in the substance. His achievement enabled researchers to begin investigating the compounds' effects, mechanisms, and potential therapeutic uses.

However, by the late 1960s, the world had fallen out of love with the fungi, partly due to the counterculture movement of the era, which popularised the recreational use of psychedelics and led to their growing association with anti-establishment movements. In 1971, the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances classified psilocybin as a Schedule I substance—deeming it to have no medical applications and a high potential for misuse. As a result, many countries, including the US and UK, introduced legislation that banned its possession and distribution, effectively halting scientific research for decades.

It was only in the early 2000s that researchers, such as Roland Griffiths at Johns Hopkins University, began pioneering studies into the effects of psilocybin on mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression, thereby reigniting research in the field.

Magic Mushrooms In Psychological Therapy: How Does It Work?

In a nutshell, psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, is converted into psilocin in the body, which interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain. This interaction causes a number of physiological changes, such as increased neuroplasticity. In other words, it promotes the formation of new neural connections that can effectively rewire the brain, which researchers believe can help break some of the negative thought patterns associated with depression and anxiety.

The same mechanism is thought to facilitate access to suppressed memories and emotions, forcing the user to confront them. The compound has also been shown to alter default mode network (DMN) activity. Simply put, the regions of the brain active during self-referential thinking become less dominant under psilocybin, leading to what some users have termed ‘ego death,’ a phenomenon that has been reported to provide individuals with new perspectives on their problems.

Administration of the substance in therapeutic settings is conducted under professional supervision, as users may embark on a "psychedelic journey" lasting several hours. These sessions are guided by a trained therapist, who works in collaboration with other healthcare professionals to determine the dosage, based on the patient and the therapeutic goals.

The Validity & Effectiveness Of Psilocybin-Based Treatments

Generally speaking, academic studies in the field have shown promising results. Two key studies conducted by Johns Hopkins University found that psilocybin-based treatments reduced patient anxiety in individuals with life-threatening cancers and major depressive disorders. 

Furthermore, a systematic review published by The BMJ analysed data from multiple clinical trials and found that psilocybin significantly reduced symptoms of depression compared to placebos. The study also highlighted the treatment's potential as a rapid-acting antidepressant, with effects lasting for weeks to months after a single dose. 

In fact, the preliminary results have been so promising that the FDA, in a reversal of position, has granted "breakthrough therapy" designations to explore the substance's medicinal use.

However, while research is expanding, psilocybin remains classified as a Schedule 1 drug in many countries, limiting its widespread application. There is some logic to this, as the exact molecular mechanisms of the substance aren’t fully understood. Although psilocybin has been shown to be largely safe and tolerable, there isn’t enough data to say this definitively. Like any pharmaceutical-based treatment, there is potential for side effects, such as adverse psychological reactions during the psychedelic experience, which could pose a risk of psychosis or re-traumatisation.

The TLDR

Research into psilocybin therapy has provided evidence of its potential to redefine mental health treatment. However, it is still in its preliminary stages and lacks sufficient data to support its implementation as a widely used treatment. Furthermore, the regulatory framework has not yet evolved to guide its use outside of clinical trials.

There is also an inherent risk in using psychoactive drugs to treat individuals with psychological disorders. Psilocybin has been used effectively to help those with late-stage illnesses experiencing death anxiety, and perhaps this should mark the beginning of a long and measured journey towards developing and refining the treatment, rather than a rushed sprint to the finish line.

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