The world is waking up to the power of psychedelics like psilocybin.
This naturally occurring psychedelic compound, found in certain mushroom species, has shown promising mental health benefits in early clinical trials, often combined with psychotherapy.
However, what's equally intriguing is the surge in naturalistic psilocybin use outside the confines of research labs and therapy clinics.
A recent groundbreaking study has shown that a single dose of psilocybin in a naturalistic setting produces lasting improvements on individuals' mental health and overall well-being, which is consistent with the results from clinical trials.
Put simply, you don't need a laboratory setting to obtain benefits from psilocybin!
The study
This prospective, longitudinal study conducted six web-based surveys in order to gather valuable insights into the experiences of adults planning to use psilocybin outside of clinical research settings.
The surveys were strategically timed, capturing data at various stages: at the time of consent, two weeks before the psilocybin experience, the day before, 1-3 days after, 2-4 weeks after, and finally, 2-3 months after psilocybin use.
This comprehensive approach allowed researchers to track the long-term effects of psilocybin on participants' mental health and well-being.
The study included a diverse sample of 2,833 respondents. These individuals were primarily college-educated White men living in the United States, with an average age of 40.
Importantly, most participants had prior experience with psychedelics, setting the stage for a rich and informed exploration of psilocybin's effects.
Self-exploration
Participants predominantly used dried psilocybin mushrooms, with an average dose of 3.1 grams.
Their motivations were diverse, but "self-exploration" emerged as a common theme.
It's clear that many individuals turn to psilocybin with a thirst for inner discovery and personal growth.
Findings
The study's findings are nothing short of remarkable. When comparing data collected before and after a planned psilocybin experience, several key trends emerged:
- Reduced anxiety and depression
On average, participants reported enduring reductions in anxiety and depression after their psilocybin experience. This result offers hope for those grappling with these challenging mental health conditions.
- Enhanced cognitive flexibility
Psilocybin use was associated with increased cognitive flexibility, a trait linked to adaptability and problem-solving skills.
- Improved emotional regulation
Participants reported better emotion regulation, suggesting that psilocybin may help individuals manage their feelings more effectively.
- Spiritual wellbeing
Psilocybin appeared to enhance spiritual wellbeing, tapping into the profound and transformative aspects of the psychedelic experience.
- Decreased neuroticism and burnout
Neuroticism and burnout levels dropped after psilocybin use, indicating a potential reprieve from these sources of distress.
An unexpected finding was that the "presence of a sitter during psilocybin use was not associated with any persisting benefits."
The authors add that a sitter may reduce risky behaviour, which is obviously important - but with professional psychedelic sitters charging upper-crust rates these days, the lack of correlation between having a sitter and extracting long-term benefits is important.
A note of caution
While the majority of participants reported positive effects, it's important to acknowledge that a minority (11% at 2-4 weeks and 7% at 2-3 months) experienced persisting negative effects.
These included mood fluctuations and depressive symptoms.
This highlights the need for careful consideration and guidance when embarking on a psilocybin journey.
A landmark study
In summary, this study stands as the largest prospective survey of naturalistic psilocybin use to date.
Its findings strongly support the notion that psilocybin has the potential to produce lasting improvements in mental health and general wellbeing outside of research settings.
As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries of this fascinating compound, it opens up new possibilities for the treatment of mental health conditions and personal growth.
The world of psychedelics is evolving, and studies like these are instrumental in providing evidence-based insights into the transformative power of substances like psilocybin.
Soucrce: frontiersin.org
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