How Magic Mushrooms Could Affect Your Brain

Psilocybin 101

So, how do magic mushrooms affect your brain? Let’s take a closer look! Technically speaking, the psilocybin in magic mushrooms is mostly inactive. Only once someone ingests magic mushrooms does psilocybin convert to psilocin, a more psychoactive compound.

Psilocybin makes it way into the brain through receptors called serotonin, the body’s feel good hormone. Serotonin helps control sleep, sexual desire and moods such as satisfaction, happiness and optimism.

People with depression or anxiety often have low levels of serotonin, as do people with PTSD, smoking addiction and substance abuse. Psilocybin changes brain neuron connectivity, making serotonin available more quickly than standard medications.

Research shows that psilocin readily binds to a wide variety of receptors within the brain, including serotonin receptors, oxytocin receptors, and dopamine receptors.

Foremost among these are the serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. Mice who don’t have them show their importance: these ‘knockout’ mice cannot get ‘high’ or experience psychedelia. So these mice support the hypothesis that the 5-HT2A receptor is critical to the psychedelic experience.

Psilocybin may also activate:

• GABA-ergic neurons
• Excitatory neurons
• Inhibitory neurons

Some neurologists believe that psilocin and LSD may enhance pyramidal neuron activity, resulting in more efficient neurotransmission. This activity, in turn, can lead to more creative thinking and expression. A brain that’s on psilocin is a faster-firing, faster-adapting, more plastic brain.

One study by Carhart et al. found that psilocin may increase cerebral blood flow and overall brain connectivity. They also found that psilocin may alleviate depression symptoms just as well as pharmaceuticals, with even more favourable “secondary” benefits:

“This trial comparing psilocybin with escitalopram in a selected group of patients showed that the change in scores for depression at 6 weeks did not differ significantly between the trial groups. Secondary outcomes mostly favored psilocybin over escitalopram, but the confidence intervals for the between-group differences were not adjusted for multiple comparisons. Larger and longer trials are needed to compare psilocybin with established treatments for depression.”

Here’s a YT vid that explains this stuff:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n3Ha0uA0OI

Research on Magic Mushrooms

At Johns Hopkins Medicine, researchers have been diving deep into the amazing effects of psilocybin, the magic ingredient in those well-known magic mushrooms, especially for tackling severe depression. They gave two doses of psilocybin to adults dealing with major depressive episodes, along with some supportive therapy. The results? Simply incredible! People saw rapid and significant drops in their depression symptoms. In fact, many participants felt so much better that half of them reached remission within just four weeks.

Johns Hopkins has been exploring the potential of psychedelics for quite a while. Back in 2016, they showed that psilocybin could really help reduce existential anxiety and depression in cancer patients facing the end of life. Their latest research takes this even further, suggesting that psychedelics like psilocybin could completely change how we treat depression, offering not just temporary relief, but possibly long-lasting improvement.

And there’s more exciting news! Follow-up studies have shown that the positive effects of psilocybin therapy can last for at least a year for some folks. Just a few doses of psilocybin, combined with therapy, might provide long-term relief from depression, way beyond what anyone expected. This breakthrough is giving us a whole new understanding of how to manage major depression over the long haul.

A recent study took a closer look at just how effective psilocybin, the psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms, can be for treating depression. The researchers analyzed data from ten different studies, involving hundreds of adults, to see how psilocybin measures up against other treatments.

And guess what? The findings were pretty impressive! Psilocybin significantly helped reduce symptoms of depression, especially in people with major depressive disorder. It seemed to work better for them than for those who were depressed due to severe illnesses. Higher doses of psilocybin were generally more effective, and while there were some side effects, they were usually temporary and manageable.

What’s really exciting is how quickly psilocybin starts working. This could be a huge deal for people who haven’t had much success with traditional antidepressants. These findings are pushing the limits of how we treat depression, suggesting that psilocybin could soon be a game-changer in mental health care. However, the study also emphasizes the need for more research, especially to figure out the best doses and to understand how exactly psilocybin affects the brain over the long term.

So, how do magic mushrooms affect your brain?

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Scientists are busy building what they call a “whole-brain connectome” to visualize how psilocin changes brain structure.

“We wanted to investigate the role of neurotransmission in dynamically changing the activity in whole-brain networks — and how this changes neurotransmitter release in return,” one researcher involved in the connectome model explains. On magic mushrooms the networks that normally shuttle neurons around are “destabilized,” leading to unusual levels of connectivity and neuroplasticity.

It’s also important to know that psilocin’s effects change over time — the compound changes the brain. Psilocin temporarily mimics the neurotransmitter serotonin, leading to feelings of acceptance, bliss, and love. In the long run, however, psilocybin may sensitize serotonin receptors so much that less serotonin is needed.

Positive Effects:

1. Enhanced Mood: Many users report an uplifted mood, feeling happier and more positive.
2. Increased Creativity: Psilocybin can boost creativity, leading to new ideas and perspectives.
3. Improved Mental Health: It has shown promise in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
4. Spiritual Experiences: Users often describe profound spiritual or mystical experiences.
5. Enhanced Sensory Perception: Colors may seem brighter, sounds clearer, and sensations more intense.
6. Increased Openness: People often feel more open to new experiences and ideas.
7. Reduced PTSD Symptoms: Some studies suggest it can help reduce the severity of PTSD symptoms.
8. Improved Mindfulness: Users often report a greater sense of being present and mindful.

Negative Effects:

1. Anxiety and Paranoia: In some cases, psilocybin can cause anxiety or paranoid thoughts.
2. Hallucinations: While sometimes enjoyable, hallucinations can also be frightening.
3. Nausea: Some people experience nausea and stomach discomfort.
4. Disorientation: Users might feel disoriented or confused during their experience.
5. Flashbacks: Rarely, people might experience flashbacks of their trip days or weeks later.
6. Increased Heart Rate: Psilocybin can cause an increased heart rate and changes in blood pressure.
7. Potential for Bad Trips: Not all experiences are positive; some can be distressing and uncomfortable.
8. Interference with Daily Life: For a period, cognitive functions like memory and attention can be impaired.

Magic Mushrooms for a Better Future?

“Life lived in the absence of the psychedelic experience that primordial shamanism is based on is life trivialized, life denied, life enslaved to the ego.”

– Terence McKenna

Thanks to scientific findings like those above, we’re getting a better understanding how magic mushrooms work.

“It has long been a puzzle how the brain’s fixed anatomical connectome can give rise to so many radically different brain states; from normal wakefulness to deep sleep and altered psychedelic states,” psychedelic researcher and professor Morten Kringlebach explains. “This new model will give us the much-needed causal tools for potentially designing new interventions to alleviate human suffering in neuropsychiatric disorders.”

Other researchers attest to psilocybin’s ability to shift brain states, too. A study by Natasha Mason and her colleagues at Maastricht University in the Netherlands used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy to analyze how psychedelics might alter the brain’s glutamate levels.

Six hours after taking either psilocybin or placebo, study participants reported on their experiences in two different surveys: the 5 Dimensions of Altered States of Consciousness and the Ego Dissolution Inventory.

It turns out that psilocybin’s ego-dissolving qualities are intimately linked to its ability to raise glutamate within the medial prefrontal cortex while lowering glutamate within the hippocampus! The research also links decreased hippocampal glutamate to positive spiritual experiences and feelings like unity.

In other words, shrooms shift the glutamate influx and efflux in various parts of the brain, resulting in more openness. For the first time, we can understand how magic mushrooms help people get past the concept of ‘self.’

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Are Magic Mushrooms Safe?

If you are considering taking the plunge and purchasing psilocybin, safety should be a top priority.

Sadly, we don’t have the modus operandi of the mind down to a science yet. However, we do have studies on the safety and efficacy of psychedelics!

Personal anecdotes from thousands of psychonauts suggest that ingesting shrooms is a safe way to explore altered states of consciousness — and possibly become a prolific artist! Now we have scientific studies to support this claim.

Recent research shows that taking psilocybin in the proper dosage and setting is safe. And it can have long-lasting beneficial effects on addiction, mental health, and creativity. Beginner-friendly strains include the beloved Golden Teachers.

Our products are lab-tested for potency and people-tested for psychedelic delectability before they get to your door. When you buy shrooms from us, you can rest assured you are making a sound decision.

Everyone’s physiology and metabolism are different, and individual brain chemistry and body size play a significant role in how each individual might respond to psilocybin, as will your surroundings and emotional state. So if it is your first time or you are significantly upping your dosage, select a safe, comfortable, and, if possible, familiar place, and consider asking a sober trip sitter to be your companion for the coming ride.

Microdose: 0 – 0.25 grams
Low: 0.25 – 1 gram
Medium: 1 – 2 grams
Strong: 2.5 – 5 grams (for experienced users only)
Heavy/Heroic: 5 grams and upwards (for experienced users only)

IMPORTANT: Do not use if pregnant and do not mix with other drugs, especially alcohol. Strong doses are not recommended if the following challenges are in play. Microdosing is better suited to these situations:

• People looking for a ‘quick fix’
• Desperation or last resort
• Psychosis, Bipolar I or II or Cluster B diagnoses

Magic Mushrooms and Your Brain: Subjective Experience

While the aforementioned findings provide “a neurochemical basis for how these substances affect individuals’ sense of self,” the best way to find out how shrooms affect you is simply to try them! As Terence McKenna says, “science does not deal with subjective experience…[which is] too bad because that is all any of us ever have.”

A useful and detailed YT vid on shroom dosages

How To Use Shrooms Safely!

Here are some steps that will make your magic mushroom trip safer and more fun!

Start with a low dose: Start with a low dose and increase gradually as desired. This allows time to gauge tolerance level, reducing the risk of negative experiences. START LOW, GO SLOW as they say!

Be in a safe environment: Because magic mushrooms can cause changes in perception, it is important to be in a safe and comfortable environment.

Don’t mix with other substances: Mixing magic mushrooms with other drugs, alcohol, or medications is a bad idea. Psilocybin can interact with other substances in unpredictable ways and magnify their effects.

Know your source: When buying magic mushrooms, source them from a reliable supplier. Remember you’re eating shrooms, so you want to be sure they were cultivated in a clean environment.

Have a positive mindset: Magic mushrooms can amplify emotions. Therefore, if someone is feeling anxious or depressed, it could trigger a bad trip.

Have a “trip sitter”: This person remains sober and can provide calm and reassuring support if someone needs help.

Purchase Psilocybin

The founders of Three Amigos are all about the transformative effects of natural remedies. They believe these can really boost well-being, ease discomfort, and help us connect more deeply with our inner selves. They’re all for a more holistic health approach.

At their online store, Three Amigos, you’re invited to explore the amazing therapeutic properties of psilocybin. Their product lineup includes everything from traditional whole mushrooms to teas, capsules, delicious chocolates, and gummies. Each product is designed to deliver an experience, helping you discover the deep impact of these magical mushrooms.