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Smoking cigarettes is terrible for your health. We all know this. Yet, for some reason, it’s still one of the most popular habits in the world. In fact, there are more than 1 billion smokers worldwide. And you or someone you know might be one of them.
Have you tried gum, patch, or electronic cigarettes? Have you gone cold turkey? If you’ve tried all of these methods and nothing seems to work, maybe it’s time to try something new.
Read on to learn how magic mushrooms could help you quit smoking.
Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, are a type of fungi that contains the psychoactive compound psilocybin. When psilocybin is consumed, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which is a psychoactive substance that produces hallucinogenic effects.
They achieve this by binding to the serotonin receptors in your brain, which affects your mood, perception, and behaviour.
The effects of magic mushrooms depend on the dose. At lower doses, psilocybin can produce feelings of euphoria and mild hallucinations. You might feel more energetic and happy. At higher doses, psilocybin can produce strong hallucinations. You might see things that are not there or have a distorted view of reality.
The effects usually last between three to six hours and depend on various factors, such as:
Now that we know what magic mushrooms are and how they make you feel let’s talk about how they can help you quit smoking.
A study published in the SAGE journal found that psilocybin-assisted therapy was effective in helping people quit smoking. The study included 15 participants who had been trying to quit smoking. After receiving their initial dose, 12 of the 15 smokers were brought back for a follow-up interview for 30 months.
Recurring reports include:
These effects suggest that psilocybin could help people break free from old habits, such as smoking cigarettes.
While the size of the study was small, the results were promising and warranted further research. And that research came. As of 2022, Denver and Oakland in the US have begun decriminalizing magic mushrooms in an effort to treat mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Up north, Health Canada has approved the use of psychedelics like magic mushrooms and MDMA (Ecstasy) in clinical trials. This is a big step in the right direction and could lead to legalized psychedelics for therapeutic use in the near future.
We know that magic mushrooms can help people quit smoking, but what is the science behind it? Psilocybin works by breaking bothersome patterns in the brain.
One way that psilocybin helps is by disrupting the “default mode network” (DMN). This network is responsible for your self-identity, sense of time, and memories. It’s also responsible for repetitive thoughts, such as those that keep you stuck in old habits like smoking cigarettes.
A study published in John Hopkins Medicine found that psilocybin-assisted therapy was associated with increased self-awareness and self-efficacy. In other words, people who received psilocybin-assisted therapy felt more confident in their ability to quit smoking.
The study also found that psilocybin-assisted therapy was associated with reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. That is likely because psilocybin affects the same receptors in the brain as nicotine.
Out of 80 participants who received psilocybin-assisted therapy, 40 passed urine tests that showed they had abstained from smoking for at least six months. Compare this to the usual success rate of traditional methods, which is around 10-35%, and it’s clear that magic mushrooms could be a game-changer for smoking cessation.
Psychedelic-assisted therapy is a new and promising treatment for mental health conditions. Psychedelics are typically taken in a therapeutic setting with the assistance of a trained therapist or guide. This allows patients to explore their thoughts and feelings in a safe and controlled environment.
During psychedelic-assisted therapy, the patient usually takes a low-moderate dose of the psychedelic drug. The therapist then helps the patient to explore their thoughts and feelings. After the session, the patient is typically given a debriefing, which allows them to integrate their experience into their everyday life.
Psychedelic-assisted therapy is still in its early stages but is available in major cities across Canada. If you think you might benefit from this type of therapy, Google the nearest clinic to you, or contact your local mental health center.
Like with any substance, there are risks associated with consuming magic mushrooms. The most common risks include:
A bad trip is a term used to describe a negative experience while under the influence of psychedelics. Symptoms of a bad trip can include paranoia, anxiety, and delusions.
Most bad trips result from taking too high of a dose or not being prepared for the experience. If you’re thinking about taking magic mushrooms, it’s essential to do your research and start with a low dose. It’s also important to be in a safe and comfortable setting with people you trust. This will help to reduce the risk of a bad trip.
Magic mushrooms might interact with other drugs, such as alcohol, antidepressants, and blood pressure medication. It’s important to talk to your doctor before taking magic mushrooms to make sure it’s safe for you to do so.
There is not enough research on the safety of magic mushrooms during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid taking them if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
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