What is psilocybin and what role does it play in mental health?

In recent years, several studies have sought to explore how an active component of hallucinogenic mushrooms and its potential as a treatment to relieve certain disorders of mental health .

This is the psilocybin present in more than 200 species of mushrooms found mainly in Mexico, the United States and South America.

Psilocybin is a chemical found in mushrooms of genera such as Agrocybe, Mycena and especially Psilocybe.

This ingredient has psychoactive properties, meaning it could alter the functioning of the central nervous system.

As described by US National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH) is capable of “changing a person’s sense of reality”, by making them see, hear and feel things that are not actually happening, or by experiencing them in a distorted way.

Once psilocybin mushrooms have been ingested, metabolism transforms this chemical compound into another substance called psilocin which begins to act on the serotonin receptors in the brain .

Remember that serotonin, commonly called the “happiness hormone”, is a neurotransmitter whose function is directly linked to mood and emotions. It is also involved in other bodily functions such as regulating sleep and appetite.

It is believed that it is the interaction of psilocin with the receptors that produces the psychedelic effects in a person who has ingested mushrooms. according to the NIH.

The substance found in hallucinogenic mushrooms has a direct impact on brain function and connectivity between brain regions. Fred Barrett, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Research on Psychedelics and Consciousness, said in an interview with Washington Post that “regions of the brain that do not normally communicate with each other begin to do so in new ways.”

Psilocybin, once ingested, can also cause significant alteration of sensory perception And the state of consciousness . “You may see different colors or have visual hallucinations, feel that you are not yourself, the sense of self and perception of time is distorted. And a lot of that is due to this disorganization of brain connections,” he explained. The country Adriana Fortea, specialist psychiatrist at Hospital Clínic in Barcelona, ​​Spain.

Other effects are linked to mood swings. And those who took psilocybin might experience feelings of euphoria or emotions such as happiness much more intensely.

Generally, psilocybin tends to act quickly in the brain. Experts suggest the effects occur between 30 and 60 minutes after ingesting it . These first symptoms usually consist of drowsiness and nausea. The process lasts a maximum of six hours.

Although psilocybin mushrooms have long been used recreationally or in spiritual ceremonies, scientific interest has grown in recent years to discover whether they could be a promising solution in patients suffering from illnesses such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders who have not responded to conventional treatments.

Currently, Australia is the only country in the world to have approved the medical use of psychedelic substances to treat depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

According to experts, the potential of this compound is due to the fact that after its consumption, various areas of the brain begin to communicate and connect more, as well as others that interact little. This eventually causes a disorganized brain, where the boundaries between auditory, visual, and other areas begin to blur.

From the point of view of specialists, it is this disorganization that can be useful to certain patients suffering from mental health disorders.

“Patients with psychiatric disorders often have their brains trapped in a circuit from which they cannot escape, and psychedelics break this cycle” Charles Nemeroff, co-director of the Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy at the University of Texas, US, told the Washington Post.

According to Fortea, the benefits of psilocybin that have been studied are also linked to brain plasticity, which is the brain’s ability to be flexible, make changes, and make new connections. It is believed that the substance could stimulate brain plasticity so that a patient responds better to treatment, or to facilitate the recovery process from major depressive disorder.

Beyond the potential that this substance could have, it must be taken into account that its use is also associated with physical and psychological effects that can be dangerous.

After ingesting psilocybin, people are exposed to your blood pressure and heart rate increase . It may be riskier for those with heart problems. Other physical consequences are vomiting, restlessness, muscle weakness and lack of coordination which in some cases might require the attention of healthcare professionals.

The substance may also make people more willing to perform risky behaviors with no one to control them. This, taking into account that at these times they have alterations in thinking and perception.

Others, for their part, are exposed to what is called a “bad trip”, which consists of panic attacks, extreme fear and even paranoia .