Emma Wilson
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin, are currently being studied for their potential therapeutic effects on mental health disorders such as substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. While some people have reported positive mental health impacts from taking magic mushrooms, the substance is not without its risks. Magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic and can cause people to experience distorted sights and sounds, lose their sense of time and space, and feel intense emotions ranging from bliss to terror. They also carry physical side effects, such as increased heart rate, nausea, anxiety, dizziness, and elevated blood pressure. As of July 1, 2023, authorised psychiatrists in Australia can prescribe psilocybin to patients with treatment-resistant depression.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Australia |
| Date of Implementation | 1 July 2023 |
| Prescribers | Authorised psychiatrists |
| Patient Referral | General practitioners |
| Patient Eligibility | Treatment-resistant depression |
| Treatment Type | Psilocybin-assisted therapy |
| Treatment Setting | Controlled medical setting |
| Treatment Safety | Vulnerable patients, potential for bad trips |
| Therapeutic Benefits | Relief from anxiety and depression |
| Side Effects | Headache, nausea, anxiety, dizziness, elevated blood pressure |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms for treatment-resistant depression
In Australia, from July 1, 2023, medicines containing psilocybin (magic mushrooms) can be prescribed by authorised psychiatrists to people experiencing treatment-resistant depression. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has reclassified psilocybin and MDMA to enable their prescription by authorised psychiatrists under strict controls. This decision acknowledges the current lack of options for patients with specific treatment-resistant mental illnesses.
Research has shown that psilocybin, the active compound in hallucinogenic "magic mushrooms," can be an effective treatment for major depression. A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers found that two doses of psilocybin, administered with supportive psychotherapy, produced rapid and significant reductions in depressive symptoms. Half of the participants achieved remission through the four-week follow-up, and the positive effects lasted up to a year for most participants. Another study by the same institution found that a single large dose of psilocybin provided considerable relief from cancer-related anxiety or depression for up to six months.
Psilocybin is believed to work differently from conventional antidepressants by making the brain more flexible and fluid, reducing the rigidity associated with negative thinking patterns in depression. Brain scans have shown that psilocybin affects 5-HT2A receptors, which are abundant in brain networks that become overactive in depression. This disruption allows new connections to form in the following days and weeks, leading to healthier thought patterns.
While psilocybin shows promise in treating treatment-resistant depression, it is not without its risks. Side effects similar to those of traditional antidepressants include headache, nausea, anxiety, dizziness, and elevated blood pressure. These side effects are generally well tolerated and fade within 24 to 48 hours. However, professional supervision is crucial when dealing with potentially dangerous substances, and more research is needed to understand the long-term side effects and rare serious side effects of psilocybin use.
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Safety and side effects
The use of psilocybin, or 'magic mushrooms', as a medicine is gaining recognition. In Australia, from 1 July 2023, authorised psychiatrists can prescribe psilocybin for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression. However, it is important to note that psilocybin is illegal in many places, including under federal law in the US, and possession and selling can carry significant legal penalties.
While psilocybin has shown promising results in treating certain conditions, it is important to be aware of potential side effects and safety concerns. Here are some key points regarding the safety and side effects of psilocybin:
Safety Considerations
- Psilocybin mushrooms resemble certain poisonous mushrooms, so there is a risk of accidental ingestion of toxic varieties.
- Psilocybin is often used in conjunction with therapy, and it is important to follow prescribed doses and not mix mushrooms with other substances, as this can lead to negative interactions.
- Psilocybin use may not be suitable for everyone, and it is always advisable to consult a doctor or healthcare provider before starting any treatment involving psilocybin.
- The effects of psilocybin can vary from person to person, and factors such as dosage, individual biology, and setting can influence the experience.
- Psilocybin is currently permitted only for specific therapeutic uses and is tightly controlled. Prescribing is limited to authorised psychiatrists due to the serious nature of the treated mental health conditions.
Side Effects
- Psilocybin's hallucinogenic effects can lead to a "bad trip", characterised by fear, paranoia, and unpleasant experiences.
- Psilocybin can alter serotonin levels in the brain, impacting perceptions, feelings, and thought patterns.
- Top reported side effects include confusion, distorted thinking, euphoria, and hallucinations.
- Long-term effects may include flashback episodes, known as Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), which can occur weeks, months, or even years after the initial experience.
- Regular psilocybin use may cause heart damage and increase the risk of heart disease over time.
- Psilocybin can interact negatively with certain drugs, such as stimulants, which may amplify anxiety and lead to an unpleasant experience.
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History of use in traditional ceremonies
The history of using psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, in traditional ceremonies is deeply rooted in prehistoric traditions, with archaeological evidence suggesting their use in religious and healing rituals dating back thousands of years.
Use in Ancient Civilizations
The heartland of psilocybin history is Central America, where evidence of mushroom worship dates back to at least 1000 BCE. Among the Aztecs, psilocybin mushrooms were known as "teonanácatl", or "flesh of the gods", reflecting their sacred status. These mushrooms were consumed during religious ceremonies and psychedelic tea ceremonies, believed to induce visionary states for divination, healing, and communing with deities and ancestors.
Indigenous Peoples of the Americas
The indigenous use of psilocybin mushrooms in the Americas is well-documented, with numerous tribes and cultures participating in psychedelic ceremonies. The Mazatec people of Oaxaca, Mexico, for example, have preserved their traditional mushroom ceremonies up to the present day. Their ceremonies, led by a medicine person or curandera/curandero, involve consuming fresh mushrooms with honey and cocoa beans, often at night.
Ancient Indian and Mesoamerican Cultures
Psilocybin mushrooms also played a role in the rituals of ancient Indian and Mesoamerican cultures, including the Mixtec and Nahua. Archaeological evidence includes depictions of mushrooms on ritual paraphernalia, sculptures, and pictographic manuscripts. The Florentine Codex, a sixteenth-century text, documents a mushroom ceremony performed by traders to celebrate a successful expedition, including the consumption of mushrooms with honey and the drinking of chocolate.
Modern Research and Therapeutic Uses
While the traditional ceremonial use of psilocybin mushrooms has a long history, modern research has also explored its therapeutic potential. The Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, for example, has studied the effects of psilocybin on conditions like depression, anxiety, addiction, and palliative care. As of July 1, 2023, authorized psychiatrists in Australia can prescribe psilocybin-assisted therapy for the treatment of specific mental health conditions, including treatment-resistant depression.
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Research and clinical trials
Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research is at the forefront of exploring innovative treatments using psilocybin. Their studies have reported that a single large dose of psilocybin can significantly alleviate cancer-related anxiety or depression for up to six months. Additionally, in a small study of adults with major depression, two doses of psilocybin, combined with psychotherapy, resulted in rapid and substantial reductions in depressive symptoms. The center also emphasizes safety in its research, adopting rigorous techniques to ensure the safe use of psychedelics.
Several clinical trials are underway in Australia, investigating the use of psilocybin in treating methamphetamine addiction and its potential in psychotherapy for patients with treatment-resistant depression. The Australian government has also provided grants worth $15 million to researchers studying the mental health benefits of psilocybin and other psychedelic drugs.
While psilocybin shows promise, it is important to note that many mushroom-related studies have been conducted primarily in vitro or in vivo in animal models, with limited human subject research. Clinical trials on psilocybin have shown encouraging results, but there are still no marketing approvals, indicating that further well-designed and efficient trials are needed to fully unlock its therapeutic potential.
Medicinal mushrooms, beyond just psilocybin-containing varieties, have also been studied for their broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, neuroprotective, and antidepressive properties. These studies suggest that mushroom-derived treatments may have a wide range of therapeutic applications.
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Authorised prescribers
In Australia, from 1 July 2023, authorised psychiatrists can prescribe medicines containing psilocybin (magic mushrooms) to patients experiencing treatment-resistant depression. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) permits the prescription of psilocybin for this specific condition, acknowledging the lack of alternative treatments for patients with treatment-resistant mental illnesses.
To prescribe psilocybin, psychiatrists must be approved under the Authorised Prescriber Scheme by the TGA, following endorsement by a human research ethics committee. This scheme ensures that psilocybin is prescribed under strict controls, safeguarding patients' welfare. Prescribing is limited to psychiatrists due to their specialised qualifications and expertise in diagnosing and treating severe mental health conditions with therapies that are not yet widely established.
General practitioners (GPs) can refer patients to authorised psychiatrists if they deem psilocybin-assisted therapy a suitable treatment option. However, initially, only a small number of psychiatrists are expected to be authorised prescribers, and GPs may face challenges in identifying these specialists.
The decision to permit the prescription of psilocybin-containing medicines acknowledges the substance's potential therapeutic benefits for specific mental health conditions. Psilocybin has been used by Indigenous communities worldwide for over a thousand years and in some cases, for more than ten thousand years, as evidenced by rock paintings in Western Australia.
Research institutions like the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research are exploring the therapeutic potential of psilocybin. Studies have indicated that psilocybin may be effective in treating various conditions, including cancer-related anxiety or depression, substance use disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, it is essential to emphasise that additional research is needed to substantiate these findings and understand psilocybin's long-term effects and safety profile fully.
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Frequently asked questions
In Australia, from July 1, 2023, authorised psychiatrists can prescribe medicines containing psilocybin, or 'magic mushrooms', to patients experiencing treatment-resistant depression.
Magic mushrooms are fungi that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound. They are known to induce hallucinations and distort an individual's senses of sight and sound, and their sense of time and space.
Magic mushrooms are usually eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea.
While magic mushrooms have a low level of toxicity, there are health risks associated with their consumption, particularly when unsupervised. Some of the side effects of consuming magic mushrooms include nausea, anxiety, dizziness, and increased heart rate.
Research suggests that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, may be effective in treating mental health disorders such as substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
