Unleashing the "Magic" of Magic Mushrooms

“Magic” mushrooms or shrooms contain a naturally-occurring hallucinogenic compound known as psilocybin, which is the active ingredient responsible for the experience when they’re consumed. Because of their common classification as psychedelics. Many people lump magic mushrooms in with LSD and ecstasy, thinking that they’re equivalent in effect. But in actuality, LSD is about 100 times more potent than psilocybin. Still, shrooms can alter one’s perception of time and space and cause visual distortions, euphoria, and mystic experiences.

However, in recent years, the focus is shifting to channeling psilocybin for medical use and alternative medicine applications. With psilocybin, there’s no risk of an overdose. The only concern is the possibility of people making poor choices and costly mistakes while impaired by the drug.

Just as the journey to the NJ decriminalization of marijuana proceeds, in December 2020, lawmakers also took a step to lessen the consequences of possessing magic shrooms. We’re not quite there yet as this bill doesn’t decriminalize psilocybin but rather lowers the penalties for possessing up to an ounce of the substance to a maximum of a $1,000 fine and six months of jail time. Nonetheless, it’s certainly a step forward in the right direction.

Cure Depression

There is a lot of research to show that psilocybin serves to cure depression. A Johns Hopkins University study of adults with major depression reports that two doses of psilocybin, along with supportive psychotherapy, resulted in significant suppression of depressive symptoms and great improvement in the participants. The researchers involved have suggested that psilocybin be reclassified from a Schedule I drug (one with no known medical benefits) to a Schedule IV drug (like prescription sleeping pills).

Psilocybin’s potentials have also been noted along the lines of treating anxiety and PTSD, helping with substance abuse and addiction, and alleviating other psychiatric and behavioral disorders. There are also notes of hope for magic shrooms to help. With the psychological distress associated with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Meanwhile, microdosing (using psychedelics in tiny, controlled doses) has been claimed to boost productivity and help people think more creatively.

Depression and Anxiety

One of the key target areas of ongoing research on psilocybin is depression. The drug designated a “breakthrough therapy” for treating depression by the FDA a while back. In theory, this means that the review of the drug is being fast-tracked.

Substance Abuse and Addiction

Another study from Johns Hopkins revealed that psilocybin therapy was effective in helping participants abstain from smoking over a year-long follow-up period. The researchers also indicate psilocybin’s potential for treating other substance abuse disorders, including addiction to cocaine and alcohol, because of their similar nature, and other studies have produced results to that effect.

Psychological Distress Related to Terminal Diseases

People dealing with terminal diagnoses usually face overwhelming existential anxiety and stress. In 2011, a study was conducted to test psilocybin as a possible therapy for people in these conditions. Another study in 2016 found that a single dose of psilocybin radically improved patients’ quality of life, reducing anxiety and depression in people in advanced stages of cancer.

Both studies give strong evidence to the fact that magic mushrooms can play an extremely vital role in improving. The lives of people suffering from terminal illnesses.

Conclusion

It’s quite sad to note that despite promising research results. There’s still no actual timeline for the approval of psilocybin by the FDA. Extra care indeed has taken with shrooms as they alter the mental state of consumers. But with the emphasis on harnessing this wonder substance for the benefit of those in greatest need a lot can be achieved.

The Assembly Judiciary Committee voted 4-1 with one abstention to advance the bill (A5084). While this doesn't decriminalize psilocybin, it makes possession of up to one ounce. A disorderly person's offense rather than a third-degree crime. That would drop penalties to a maximum of a $1,000 fine and six months in jail.

With the charges on magic mushroom possession lessened in New Jersey. We hope to see more progress in terms of its application in alternative medicine.