Michael Davis
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are a type of psychedelic drug that has been used for thousands of years by indigenous communities for spiritual and healing rituals. In modern times, they have been studied for their potential therapeutic benefits, particularly in the treatment of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and addiction. The active ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which can cause hallucinations, distorted senses, and intense emotions. While there is growing interest in the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, it is important to note that it is still illegal in many places and can have dangerous side effects. A breakthrough on mushrooms refers to a profound experience where users may feel a sense of connection to God or the universe, ego dissolution, and a distorted perception of time and reality. This experience is often described as life-changing and can lead to a more positive outlook on life. However, the term breakthrough may vary in definition depending on the individual's context and set and setting during the trip.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dosage | Heroic doses (5 grams of Psilocybe Cubensis) or macrodoses (1-3.5 grams) |
| Setting | Dark, silent room |
| Effects | Visual hallucinations, euphoria, hilarity, ego dissolution, oceanic feelings of love or oneness with nature, distorted perception of time, out-of-body experiences, life-changing experiences, reduced anxiety, positive outlook, lessened depression, increased well-being, acceptance of illness, intense emotions, increased heart rate, nausea |
| Use Cases | Recreational, spiritual, self-treatment of medical disorders (depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, pain, neurodegenerative disorders), treatment for alcohol use disorder |
| History | Used by indigenous communities for millennia, stigmatized and made illegal in the US in the 1960s-1970s, resurgence of interest in the early 2000s |
| Safety | Not without dangers, consult a medical professional |
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What You'll Learn
- Magic mushrooms have been used for millennia in traditional ceremonies by indigenous communities
- Microdoses of mushrooms are sub-perceptual and are taken to reap positive benefits without hallucinating
- Macrodoses of mushrooms are heroic doses that can cause ego death and dissociation from reality
- Mushrooms can be consumed dried, powdered, or in chocolate form
- Mushrooms are being studied for their potential to treat depression, anxiety, addiction, and pain
Magic mushrooms have been used for millennia in traditional ceremonies by indigenous communities
Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, have a long history of use in traditional ceremonies by indigenous communities. For millennia, indigenous peoples have been the caretakers and knowledge keepers of psychedelic plant medicines, viewing these substances as sacred and integral to their spirituality.
One notable example is the Mazatec people in Mexico, who have used magic mushrooms for medicinal and sacramental purposes. In the 1950s, R. Gordon Wasson, a Wall Street banker and amateur ethnomycologist, documented the sacramental use of psychoactive mushrooms in the genus Psilocybe in a Mazatec village in Mexico's Sierra Mazateca. His article in LIFE magazine in 1957 sparked widespread interest in the West, leading to an influx of visitors to the village and disrupting Mazatec cultural and religious practices.
Another example is the indigenous Ojibwa community in the Great Lakes region between Canada and the United States, who continue to use psychoactive mushrooms in traditional ceremonies. In ancient Mesoamerica, evidence suggests that sacred mushrooms played a significant role, as seen through pollen analysis, pictographic writing, ceramic sculptures, and carved mushroom-shaped stones from the Mayan civilisation.
Indigenous communities often use magic mushrooms in sacred rituals, palliative care, exploring consciousness, facilitating creativity, and building connections within their communities. Music, especially drumming, has long been a part of psychedelic ceremonies, aiding in inducing trance-like states and facilitating creative expression.
While the use of magic mushrooms in indigenous ceremonies has a long history, it is important to approach these substances with caution. High doses of psilocybin can lead to intense psychedelic experiences, including visual hallucinations, euphoria, ego dissolution, and a distorted perception of time. The term heroic dose refers to doses of around five grams of the more potent Psilocybe Cubensis species, and users should be aware of the potential risks associated with such high doses.
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Microdoses of mushrooms are sub-perceptual and are taken to reap positive benefits without hallucinating
Microdosing of psychedelic substances such as psilocybin involves taking a fraction of a regular dose (a sub-perceptual dose) that is much lower than one would take if one wanted to "trip" or hallucinate. The current mushroom craze revolves around doses at the lower end of the scale, which are all about taking a sub-perceptual dose of mushrooms (around 0.1 to 0.9 grams) to reap the positive benefits without hallucinating. Microdoses of psilocybin mushrooms are generally thought to be safe and have been used for centuries by indigenous peoples. However, it's important to note that if one takes too large a dose, it can result in a terrifying or even traumatic experience.
There is a growing body of research on the potential benefits of microdosing psychedelics, including psilocybin mushrooms. Some studies have shown that microdosing can improve several aspects of mental health, enhance mood, creativity, concentration, productivity, and the ability to empathize with others. It is also being studied as a possible treatment for opioid addiction and alcohol use disorder.
While the evidence from some studies is mixed, with some suggesting that the positive effects of microdosing may be due to an "expectancy effect", there are also studies that have found objective evidence of improvements in mental health and cognitive function. For example, a double-blind placebo-controlled study published in Translational Psychiatry investigated the effects of 0.5 g of dried mushrooms on subjective experience, behavior, creativity, perception, cognition, and brain activity. The study found that small amounts of dried Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms reliably induced significant subjective effects.
It's important to note that there is no single, clearly recognized definition of microdosing for any psychedelic drug, and this complicates attempts to perform consistent research. However, one definition suggests that microdosing involves taking approximately 1/5 to 1/20 of a recreational dose, or around 1/10 of a full psychedelic dose.
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Macrodoses of mushrooms are heroic doses that can cause ego death and dissociation from reality
The term "heroic dose" was coined by Terence McKenna and refers to doses of five grams or more of the more potent Psilocybe Cubensis species of mushrooms. An average macrodose usually sits at around one to 3.5 grams, so a heroic dose is significantly higher.
A heroic dose may cause ego dissolution or ego death, a complete loss of the sense of self and the ability to think or make decisions. This can be a positive experience, with reports of lessened anxiety and a more positive outlook on life following such a trip. However, it is important to remember that psychedelics are not without their dangers, and it is essential to weigh the risks before taking such a large dose.
People who have experienced ego death on a heroic dose of mushrooms report feeling that everything was connected. They describe the experience as "life-changing", with a sense of being "one part of a complete organism". One person who took six grams of mushrooms in the Netherlands reported having a trip that lasted eight to ten hours and helped him work through some childhood emotions. Another person who took 7.5 grams of mushrooms as part of a shamanic ceremony described the experience as a "plant medicine" and advised that such a high dose should not be taken recreationally.
Combining mushrooms with other substances, such as weed, can open your mind and allow for an even more intense experience. However, it is important to approach these combinations with caution, as they can significantly alter the effects of the mushrooms.
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Mushrooms can be consumed dried, powdered, or in chocolate form
Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, are consumed for their psychedelic effects. The primary ingredient that makes them "magic" is the compound psilocybin. When consumed, psilocybin is rapidly metabolized into psilocin, which is the molecule that reaches the brain and induces the psychedelic mushroom experience.
People generally consume psilocybin mushrooms in dried form. Due to their strong flavor, some prefer to grind them into a powder and consume them in capsules. Others may brew them into a tea or make them into an edible, such as chocolate. Each method of preparation and consumption creates a slightly different effect and has varying onset timelines.
Consuming mushrooms on an empty stomach can significantly speed up the onset of the effects and intensify the experience, as the active compounds will be absorbed more quickly into the bloodstream. Consuming mushrooms after eating, on the other hand, will lead to a milder high that will come on slower and fade faster, which may be more desirable for novice mushroom consumers.
The term "heroic dose" was coined by Terence McKenna, a famous proponent of magic mushrooms, to refer to doses of five grams of the more potent Psilocybe Cubensis species. McKenna suggested consuming heroic doses in a dark, silent room, which is associated with breakthroughs, ego death, and dissociation from present reality. Users often describe the experience of taking a heroic dose as life-changing.
It is important to note that consuming large doses of mushrooms can be dangerous, and it is essential to understand proper dosing and safe consumption practices.
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Mushrooms are being studied for their potential to treat depression, anxiety, addiction, and pain
Magic mushrooms, or mushrooms containing psilocybin, are being studied for their potential to treat depression, anxiety, addiction, and pain. Psilocybin is a classic psychedelic that has been the subject of growing research interest over the last 20 years. It was first studied in the 1940s as a potential treatment for various psychiatric conditions but was made illegal in the 1970s. Research has resumed in the last decade, and psilocybin is now being explored as a possible treatment for a range of mental health disorders and addictions.
Psilocybin has shown promising results in the treatment of depression. Studies have found that psilocybin-assisted therapy, combined with supportive psychotherapy, may provide substantial antidepressant effects that last for up to a year for some patients. The treatment has been found to be particularly effective for participants who had previously been treated with standard antidepressants without success.
Psilocybin is also being studied for its potential to treat anxiety and existential distress in people with serious medical illnesses, such as advanced cancer. A 2020 analysis of four small studies concluded that psilocybin combined with psychotherapy may be safe and effective in improving anxiety, depression, and existential distress, as well as quality of life. Additionally, a 2023 review of five studies found that psilocybin treatment combined with psychological support reduced depression symptoms for up to five weeks.
The potential of psilocybin to treat addiction is also being explored. One study investigated the use of psilocybin to treat alcohol use disorder, and the results showed that some patients experienced a complete reduction in their cravings and no longer thought about drinking. Another study compared the effects of psychotherapy plus two psilocybin sessions to psychotherapy plus a placebo in people with moderate alcohol use disorder. Psilocybin is also being considered as a possible treatment for opioid addiction.
While the research on the therapeutic potential of psilocybin is promising, it is important to note that the studies are small and have limitations. Additionally, psilocybin is not without risks, and it is not recommended for people with psychotic conditions or a personal or family history of psychosis. More research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of using psilocybin as a treatment for various mental health disorders and addictions.
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Frequently asked questions
A shroom breakthrough is a term used to describe a profound experience on mushrooms, often associated with ego death, dissociation from reality, and a sense of being in the presence of a higher power or entity.
The term "heroic dose" was coined by Terence McKenna to describe doses of approximately five grams of the more potent Psilocybe Cubensis species. However, it is important to note that a heroic dose is considered particularly high, and there are inherent risks associated with taking such large amounts of psychedelics.
Some individuals report that macrodoses or heroic doses of psilocybin have helped them overcome issues such as anger, childhood traumas, and negative emotions. These higher doses have also been associated with reduced anxiety and an improved outlook on life.
It is crucial to understand that trips are extremely context-dependent and subjective. Set and setting are essential factors that influence the experience, including one's mood, personality, and surroundings. Always start with lower doses and gradually increase if necessary, ensuring you have a trusted guide or sitter to support you.
Psilocybin mushrooms can induce intense emotions ranging from bliss to terror and may cause physical side effects such as increased heart rate or nausea. It is important to approach these substances with respect and caution, being mindful of set and setting, and always ensuring you have a trusted guide or sitter to support you during your journey.
Note: This response provides general information and should not be considered medical advice. The use of psychedelics can be dangerous and may have legal implications depending on your location. Always consult a medical professional before consuming any substance that can alter your mental state.
