What's so Magic About Magic Mushrooms?

 

Photo: https://images.app.goo.gl/pQwLT5ffDqxdAkn98 

 

As you may have heard of by now "magic mushrooms" or Psilocybe cubensis have a unique chemical within them called psilocybin. This chemical is known to cause differences in mood, perception and behavior. Many companies have been researching the effects of this chemical of the mind and they have started to conclude that it can be used to help people deal with depression and anxiety. Altogether it is being considered as a form of medication to improve mental health. In the article "Magic Mushroom" Ingredient Inches Closer to Becoming a Depression Treatment"
by: Ed Cara, he elaborates on the clinical trials concerning Psilocybe cubensis.

Recently the FDA has granted a "breakthrough therapy" treatment. This treatment has been actively studied since 1970 on depression and anxiety. Due to the drug's popularity for recreational use it has been completely banned and labelled as a schedule 1 drug. This means the drug has a high potential for abuse. As time proceeds the research into this drug proves to be worth looking into. At the moment about 55% of people don't respond to typical antidepressants, this means psilocybin could become an alternative medicine.

Clinical trials for psilocybin have been primarily focused around challenges with depression and helping people with severe illnesses such as cancer to help process their anxiety. With the help of the FDA granting companies like COMPASS Pathways the ability to study psilocybin as a last resort drug treatment for depression. The FDA has finally considered this as a possibility that can potentially help. As of now the company is in it's second clinical trial and they expect to be finished with it some time next year. If this second trail is successful it will open the door for phase three clinical trials before being approved.

The expectations for this to come to market are anywhere between five to ten years. Although this may seem like a long time there are still many breakthroughs happening within our country. Denver has decriminalized the personal use and possession of psilocybin mushrooms of people 21 and older. This first simple decriminalization may not seem that significant, but with it opens up the possibility of more research and trails being preformed using this mysterious mushroom.

Posted by: Joshua Gach