Once regarded as simply recreational drugs, magic mushroom are now finding their place in the world of therapeutic practices. Emerging research suggests that certain strains of these fungi, when used in a controlled and guided setting, could hold promise as an aid in therapy practices, assisting people who suffer from a range of mental health issues.
Psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms is believed to influence brain connectivity, potentially allowing users to break free from thought patterns associated with mental health conditions.
Looking at the Most Promising Strains of Mushrooms
Psilocybin-assisted therapy involves a carefully crafted experience, where a trained therapist guides the participant through their psychedelic journey. This approach, often combined with preparatory sessions and integration therapy, helps individuals process profound experiences, gain insights, and work through psychological challenges.
- Golden Teacher mushrooms promote a sense of clarity and calm understanding, as well as having a relatively high concentration of psilocybin.
- Liberty Cap mushrooms are extremely potent, and can be used for their additional content baeocystin – an alkaloid alternative to psilocybin.
- B+ cubensis is a more accessible strain of psilocybe cubensis that has added anecdotal benefits such as the ability to reduce sensations of nausea.
- For inducing sensations of synesthesia and euphoria during therapy sessions, the Penis Envy strain is one of the most recommended.
- Wavy Caps are known as an excellent source of psilocybin often found growing on decaying wood.
- Knobbly Tops, ranked as one of the most potent therapeutic mushrooms, can be used for treatments involving the alteration of sensory perception.
- The Bohemian Psilocybe is a similarly potent strain that is native to central Europe.
Helpful Therapeutic Benefits
Researchers have pointed out how psilocybin can reduce activity in an area called the mode network in the brain, which can lead to a state of well-being and serenity in patients who struggle with depression and anxiety.
Studies conducted throughout the past decade using lab cultivated psilocybe spores also show how, with the right therapeutic approaches, psilocybin can be a helpful aid in therapy sessions involving treatment-resistant depression, as well as various addictions. More importantly, the positive effects of a single psilocybin dose has been found to last for up to three months at a time – far more than any conventional anti-depressant.