Category: General

Top 8 Benefits of Shrooms

For years, magic mushrooms have been known to give people remarkable spiritual experiences enabling members of ancient tribes such as the Aztecs to communicate with their gods. Now consensus is building among researchers that shrooms aren’t necessarily the harmful and addictive drugs they’re made out to be. In fact, they could provide the key in holistic healing for human beings.

Here’s a look at 8 Benefits Shrooms:

1.   Shrooms Soothes Anxiety

If you’re the kind of person who suffers from bouts of anxiety, there’s some good news for you. Psilocybin mushrooms can help reduce your anxiety levels. A study conducted by a team of scientists at John Hopkins showed that moderate doses of shrooms in conjunction with psychotherapy helped terminally ill patients overcome anxiety and depression caused by their diagnosis. After a 6 hour treatment almost 80% of the participants showed significantly reduced anxiety and depression, results that were still evident 6 months down the line. 83% of those treated reported they were more satisfied with their quality of life, while two-thirds admitted their psilocybin session was one of the five most important experiences in their lives.

2.   Magic Mushrooms Lowers Depression

You may or may not know this, but Canadians are ranked as one of the highest users of antidepressants in the world. OECD, which released this statistic says that as much as 9% of Canada’s population is on one medication or other for fighting depression. Luckily a lot of research has been done on psilocybin therapy in relation to depression. In fact, psilocybin therapy has been given “breakthrough therapy” status by the FDA for the treatment of depression meaning its approval for such use is now being fast tracked.

Among the more promising outcomes of research is a 2017 study by the Imperial College London which found that psilocybin “may effectively reset the activity of key brain circuits known to play a role in depression.” A different study also showed that psilocybin combined with psychological support can revive one’s emotional responsiveness. It suggested that the chemical works without emotionally blunting patients as is the case with conventional antidepressants.

3.   Shrooms Alleviates OCD Symptoms

You’re probably familiar with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a condition that’s associated with unreasonable thoughts and fears that result in compulsive behaviors like constantly washing your hands for fear of germs, or the need to arrange things in a specific way. Patients suffering from bipolar disorders are usually the most affected. Studies done by the University of Arizona showed that magic mushrooms were able to successfully treat the symptoms related to this disorder.

According to Dr. Francisco Moreno and Dr. Brian Bayze who work at the university, psilocybin works together with various serotonin receptors in the brain, including those which control certain brain regions of individuals with OCD. By treating them with multiple doses of shrooms, the binding activity of serotonin receptors changes thereby reducing such symptoms.

4.   It Can Treat Addiction

Whether you’re addicted to smoking, alcohol, or cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms could provide the answer to breaking these habits. One pilot study conducted by John Hopkins University researchers revealed that psilocybin therapy enabled participants to abstain from smoking for a period of 12 months during which follow-up was done.

Matthew Johnson, an associate professor of psychiatry, who led the study believes shrooms can potentially treat other substance abuse disorders like alcohol and cocaine addiction. According to him, these disorders are caused by “a narrowed mental and behavioral repertoire”. Such people can be shaken out of their routines using well-coordinated psilocybin therapy sessions.

5.   Magic Mushrooms Stimulates Growth of New Brain Cells

We know that psilocybin can help the brain establish new connections across its different regions but, get this, it can also help the growth of neorons in the brain. Research done by the University of South Florida showed that psilocybin enabled lab rats to overcome their fear by promoting the growth of new neurons in their brains, a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity. To put it differently, psilocybin repairs and grows brain cells by binding itself to receptors in the nerve cells that stimulate healing. Dr. Briony Catlow, the study leader, hopes the findings can be extended to humans in clinical trials.

6.   Psychedelic Mushrooms boost your creativity

It’s no secret that magic mushrooms improve your mood. At higher doses shrooms can send you into a euphoric state, but they can also promote a sense of creativity and insightfulness even at lower doses better known as microdoses. A 2018 study published in the journal Psychopharmacology corroborates this. It found that participants who microdosed on psychedellic mushrooms came up with more ideas on how to solve a task. The researchers found that they “were more fluent, flexible and original in the possibilities they came up with”.

7.   They Can Change Your Personality

Although brain function generally returns to normal after psilocybin psychotherapy session, research has shown that some effects can last longer. One such study, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, found that psilocybin can result in long-term changes in behaviors, attitudes and values. While studying its effect on five broad domains of personality- neuroticism, extroversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, it demonstrated that there were “significant increases in openness following a high-dose psilocybin session.”

Openness refers to an individual’s attitude towards new experiences, and goes hand in hand with characteristics like imagination, creativity and aesthetic appreciation. In the study researchers reported that openness not only increased during the psilocybin sessions with participants, but almost 60% of the participants maintained a significantly higher level of openness more than one later. However, those who went through this personality change are only the ones who had a complete mystical experience during their high-dose session. The study went on to explain that the high dose should be administered under supportive conditions.

8.   Shrooms Can Potentially Treat Alzheimer’s

Following the findings by scientists that psilocybin promotes neuroplasticity in the brain, psychiatrists like Prof. Roland Griffiths from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine think there’s an opportunity to study the effects of psychedelics in people with early Alzheimer’s disease. Speaking to Forbes, he said, “To the extent that these drugs produce neuroplasticity, there may be some enduring effects on cognitive process,” Although that’s in the future, he’s happy  that for now they know they can treat depression that comes with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis using magic mushroom drugs.

Conclusion

As much as magic mushrooms provide the health benefits described above, it’s good to remember that higher doses are administered in a controlled clinical situation. If you’re not highly experienced in taking psilocybin mushrooms we recommend that you start off by microdosing then increase your dosage as you get used to their effects.

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We provide Canadians access to high quality psychedelic mushroom products in a discreet and reliable manner. Sign-up today and try out our unique assortment of magic mushrooms and microdosing mushrooms.

It’s My First Shrooms Trip, What Should I do?

It’s normal to be a little anxious before your first magic mushroom psilocybin trip. But you can relax, we’ve got your back on this one. We’ve put together a list of do’s and don’ts, and generally tried to give you an idea of what to expect inside your psychedelic journey.

First up, you need to know that the effects of the shroom will depend on:

1. The dosage: at lower doses like the minidose (0.5g-1g) or museum dose (1g-2g), psilocybin mushrooms will mainly distort your sense of perception. But at higher doses (2g-5g) you will begin to experience powerful hallucinations referred to as spiritual trips.
2. The strain of psilocybin mushroom: there are several types including the Big Mex, The Ecuadorian, or the Transkei Cubensis that will give you varying trip outcomes effects. That’s because they have different concentrations of alkaloids. Some, like the Transkei will give you more powerful visuals compared to the Golden Teacher which is mellower.
3. Your mental status: you need to be in a good place mentally before taking shrooms, otherwise issues buried in your subconscious mind will bubble to the surface. Your worst fears could be amplified during your trip.

What Effects Should I Expect From Psilocybin Mushrooms?

Like most psychedelic trips, mushroom trips, vary from one individual to the next. Some may perceive intense visual effects, while others may have a more introspective psychedelic experience.

During the trip you’ll start feeling some interesting sensations in your body; this is normally what is referred to as a spiritual adventure. At this point you’ll feel as if there are no limits to time and space. You feel deeply connected with the universe.

Your sense of taste, smell and touch, as well as your hearing, and vision gain new dimensions like you never imagined. Expect the objects around you to become more vivid and concentrated, acquiring a new clarity.

Soon you’ll start giggling uncontrollably as euphoria takes over. You’ll hear the sounds around you begin to echo as the things you eat (if you do manage to keep it down) gain a new exciting taste.

Close your eyes and you’ll see intense 3D geometric patterns, rotating and switching into different intricate shapes. Open them and the walls, floor and ceiling will be covered by these patterns dancing in their full glare, almost as if some strange kaleidoscope has taken over your normal senses.

Next are your thoughts. They’ll flow freely and effortlessly, gaining a life of their own. They may diverge into different trains of thought, taking place simultaneously until they eventually converge. Prepare to experience life-like dreams played out by your subconscious in your mind’s eye.

What Rules Should I Observe?

1. Don’t forget the “Set and Setting” Rule

The “set” is your state of mind. Try to relax and have positive thoughts as much as possible before taking the  magic mushrooms. If you’re anxious or annoyed don’t take shrooms otherwise your trip can quickly turn into a frightening and messy experience.

The “setting” is the physical environment and person(s) around you. If you want to have good vibes from your experience be in the company of a positive and reassuring person whom you’re comfortable with.

2. Have a Trip Sitter

A “trip sitter” is someone, possibly a friend, who takes up the responsibility of looking after you, the tripper. Having someone like that around makes the atmosphere safer and can help in case you run into problems you can’t handle on your own. They can take shrooms in small doses just to keep you company and so as to empathize with what you’re experiencing.

3. Use the Correct Shroom Dosage

How much shrooms should you take, can be a tricky question. It’s always best to err on the side of caution. Start slowly with a microdose of say, 0.5g and then refill once you reach the peak. Don’t try taking a full dose if it’s your first time, because you may not be able to handle its potency. Here’s how much magic mushrooms you should take to get the desired effects.

4. Don’t Drive

You shouldn’t drive a vehicle or operate any kind of heavy machinery while you’re under the influence of shrooms. Also don’t take mushrooms a day before an important event like doing an exam or attending a job interview.

5. Don’t get in Trouble with the Law

Mushrooms are best taken indoors either at home or in a place that’s familiar and comfy. That way, in case things don’t go according to plan, you can maintain your privacy. Keep off the streets when you’re taking mushrooms for the first time.

6. Things to do on Shrooms

There’s lots of fun things you can do when tripping on magic mushrooms like relaxing on the couch or bed, look at art, watch a movie, listen to good music, play video games, or go stargazing.

Conclusion

Without a doubt experiencing a “bad trip” can turn you off experimenting with magic mushrooms. A bad trip can happen when you do it in the wrong environment and your dosing is all wrong. Luckily, deadly overdoses caused by magic mushrooms are a rare occurrence. Magic mushrooms have, in fact, been rated as the safest recreational drug in the world by the Global Drug Survey.

The long and short of it is when used correctly, shrooms can provide an amazing experience, but they must be treated with care and respect.

About Magic Mushrooms Dispensary

We provide Canadians access to high quality psychedelic mushroom products in a discreet and reliable manner. Sign up today and try out our unique assortment of magic mushrooms and microdose capsules.