Exploring The Psychedelic Experience Of Shroom Trips

Magic mushrooms are illegal drugs that contain substances that cause people to hallucinate. Psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms, is known to open up the brains of depressed people, even weeks after use. While some mushroom trips may be enjoyable, others may lead to terrifying thoughts, paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. The effects of mushrooms vary from person to person, and it is difficult to predict what kind of trip each user will have. Some users have reported feeling like they were playing a complex game during their trip, while others have had frightening experiences known as bad trips.

Varying experiences: Some trips enjoyable, others terrifying, panic-inducing, or paranoia-inducing

The effects of magic mushrooms vary widely from person to person and trip to trip. While some trips may be enjoyable, others can be terrifying, inducing panic and paranoia.

Some people have reported positive experiences, describing profound insights and feelings of connectedness. For example, one person shared that mushrooms helped them understand that "life is all a game". They describe having clear thoughts and conversations in their mind, feeling like they were coming out of the game, and teasing and laughing with a sibling.

On the other hand, bad trips can be frightening and are characterised by feelings of losing control, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. During a bad trip, people may feel like they are "going crazy" or experiencing ego dissolution. These negative experiences can be challenging but may also lead to valuable insights and life-altering perspectives.

The intensity and nature of a mushroom trip are highly unpredictable, and it is difficult to know how strong mushrooms are or what kind of trip each user will have. Additionally, there is no way to end a bad trip until it has run its course, which could take hours.

It is important to note that magic mushrooms are illegal in many places due to their hallucinogenic properties, and consuming them comes with risks. Some mushrooms are extremely poisonous and can cause severe illness or even death.

Ego dissolution: Feeling of losing oneself or going crazy

The experience of ego dissolution is often described as a feeling of losing oneself or going crazy. This phenomenon is characterised by a sense of one's "self", "ego", or "I" disintegrating, and it is a common feature of the psychedelic experience induced by substances like psilocybin, a compound found in magic mushrooms.

Ego dissolution can be deeply unsettling, leading to feelings of losing control, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. It is challenging to predict how an individual will respond to psilocybin, and some may have terrifying experiences, often referred to as "bad trips". During these episodes, users may feel like they are going crazy or losing their sense of self. However, it is important to note that the concept of ego dissolution extends beyond the realm of psychedelic experiences.

In the field of psychology, ego dissolution has been studied in the context of schizophrenia, where disturbances in the sense of self are a prominent feature. Additionally, in the realm of spirituality and personal growth, ego dissolution is seen as a transformative experience. In Jungian psychology, for example, ego dissolution is described as a fundamental transformation of the psyche. In Eastern religions and contemporary New Age spirituality, ego dissolution represents a loss of "attachment to a separate sense of self" and self-centredness. It is viewed as a path to enlightenment, liberation from suffering, and a deeper understanding of one's true nature.

While the experience of ego dissolution can be challenging and disorienting, some users have reported that these difficult moments can lead to valuable insights and life-altering perspectives. It is worth noting that the effects of psilocybin are highly variable, and the same substance can induce either positive or negative experiences of ego dissolution. Factors such as individual brain chemistry and dosage play a role in determining the nature of the experience.

Therapeutic effects: Helps with depression, anxiety, anorexia, and addiction

Psilocybin, the main psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, has been the subject of growing research interest over the last two decades. While the use of psilocybin mushrooms may carry risks, such as unpredictable "bad trips" and psychological dependence, it also shows promise as a therapeutic tool in carefully controlled settings under the supervision of trained professionals.

Depression

Research has shown that psilocybin treatment can lead to significant and immediate improvements in depression, with effects lasting up to a year or more for most patients. In one study, participants with long-term depression showed decreased depression scores from 22.8 at pre-treatment to 7.7 at the 12-month mark. 75% of participants showed a response, and 58% were in remission at 12 months. These findings suggest that psilocybin may be a uniquely useful treatment for depression due to its immediate effects and long duration.

Anxiety

Research exploring the use of psilocybin mushrooms for anxiety is ongoing. Some studies suggest that microdosing may not be as effective as full doses in treating anxiety, and that larger doses may offer more significant benefits. However, the placebo effect of microdosing cannot be overlooked, and some individuals may experience increased neuroticism, a trait linked to anxiety.

Anorexia

In a Phase 1 trial, psilocybin therapy was found to be safe and therapeutically meaningful for female individuals with anorexia nervosa when combined with psychological support. This combination of psilocybin and therapy may be particularly promising due to the potential for psilocybin to induce rapid and enduring synaptic adaptations that could improve anorexia symptoms.

Addiction

While the risk of addiction to psilocybin mushrooms is considered low, psychological dependence can develop, and abuse of these substances is a growing concern, particularly among younger populations. Treatment and rehabilitation for psilocybin mushroom abuse typically involve individual counselling or group therapy to help individuals understand their triggers and develop coping skills to manage cravings.

Varying intensities: Experiences depend on the amount consumed

The effects of magic mushrooms vary depending on the amount consumed. While some trips may be enjoyable, others may lead to terrifying thoughts, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. The intensity of the trip is proportional to the amount consumed. A higher dosage of mushrooms may result in severe side effects and, in very rare cases, even death.

A user on Reddit described their experience after consuming 5g of mushrooms. They reported having clear thoughts and conversations in their mind, feeling as though they were in a game. They also experienced a sense of sibling competitiveness and had interesting realizations that left them with a feeling of processing and rationalizing.

It is worth noting that the effects of magic mushrooms can be unpredictable, and it is challenging to know how strong they are. The experience of a "bad trip" is common among users of psychedelics, with almost all participants in one study reporting frightening experiences. However, some users argue that these unpleasant experiences can lead to deep existential insights and life-altering realizations.

The compound psilocybin, found in magic mushrooms, has been studied for its potential therapeutic effects on the brain. Research suggests that it increases brain connectivity in individuals with depression, making the brain more flexible and fluid. This supports the exploration of psilocybin as a potential alternative treatment for depression and other mental illnesses, such as anorexia or addiction.

Flashbacks: Some users relive parts of a trip when they're no longer high

The effects of magic mushrooms are highly variable, with some trips being enjoyable and others leading to terrifying thoughts, paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. It is hard to predict what sort of trip a user will experience, and there is no way to end a bad trip until it has run its course, which could take hours.

Some users experience flashbacks, where they relive parts of a trip when they are no longer intoxicated. Flashbacks can be self-induced by thinking about a previous trip, or they can come on without warning, sometimes months after the original trip. They are usually not as intense or long-lasting as the original trip, but they can be frustrating or overwhelming. While some people find flashbacks enjoyable or relaxing, others experience them as intense, unpleasant, and frequent, even if they are abstaining from drug use.

Flashbacks are a recognised phenomenon, documented in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) as hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). HPPD involves intense and frequent visual hallucinations, which can include intensified colours, flashes of colour, palinopsia, and false perceptions of movement in one's peripheral vision. People or situations may also seem bizarre or ridiculous, or the person experiencing the flashback may feel dissociated. HPPD is most frequently caused by LSD, but it can occur after one-time use of other hallucinogens such as phencyclidine (PCP), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and cannabis (marijuana).

While the exact cause of HPPD is unknown, the only certain cause of the disorder is previous hallucinogen use. Most experts agree that abstaining from drug use is important for recovery, and a mental health professional can help treat the anxiety that may accompany flashbacks.

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