Psilocybin Mushroom

From The SpiritWiki

Psilocybin Mushrooms are Connection Supplements popular amongst ancient Mesoamericans, but forced under ground by the the western Church when it participated in the colonization of America's native people.[1]

List of Connection Supplements

Connection Supplement > 5-MEO DMT, Ayahuasca, Cannabis, Chloroform, DMT, Haoma, Kaneh Bosm, Kava, Ketamine, Kykeon, LSD, MDMA, Maikua, Manna, Nitrous Oxide, Peyote, Psilocybin Mushroom, Santa Rosa, Soma, Tobacco, Yaqona

Notes

Action and Measurement

Psilocybin effects of psilocybin are mediated/reflected in the agonism of the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR), as measured via PET scans.[2] Note, given the difficulty of obtaining large PET scans, there is a high correlation between plasma psilocin and 5-HT2AR occupancy; thus, plasma psilocin levels may be used as an accurate surrogate.[3]

Lifetime use of LSD, MDMA, and Psilocybin mushrooms is associated with significantly lower rates of major depressive episodes (MDEs). Jones et al. finds that Psilocybin is associated with reduced past-year MDEs whereas LSD/MDMA are associated with a global reduction in MDEs. [4]

"A single dose of psilocybin facilitated rapid and sustained fear extinction; this effect might be partially mediated by the promotion of hippocampal neuroplasticity. This study indicates that psilocybin may be a useful adjunct to exposure-based therapies for PTSD and other mental disorders characterized by failure of fear extinction."[5]

Mushrooms can be challenging. In one study, 38% of respondents indicated a mushroom trip to be one of the five most challenging experiences of their life. However, out of 1993 respondents, only 3 indicated enduring psychotic episodes (.1 percent), and only 3 indicated suicide attempts.[6] Even though challenging, 84% endorsed the experience.[7] This study also notes that set, setting, and the availability of expertise and social supports mitigate negative experiences.

Treatment



Psilocybin and MDMA

Additional

Mushrooms visualized as little male or female beings, elves, duendes, tricksters, saint children, the blood of Christ..[9]

Allow one to speak with the Lords of the Mountains, the beings who are the masters of all things.[10]

"It was not only the gold and natural riches of Anahuac, the culture and art of Mesoamerica that astonished the Spanish priests and conquistadors who arrived in this land in the sixteenth century: the native medicines (comprising a "marvellous collection" of hallucinogenic plants) were also the objects of attention, study, and condemnation."[11] Hallucinogenic practices were seen as "demoniacal" an the practice was forced underground in most cases, but survived in Huautla, in Sierra Mazatec.

Mushrooms have the power to cure, and also give "the mystical force that creates the elevated, esoteric language of the shaman." [12]

Seen as teonanacatle - Flesh of the Gods.

Were given great respect by elders.

"...Sometime later I knew that the mushrooms were like God. That they gave wisdom, that they cured illnesses, and that our people, since a long time ago, had eaten them. That they had power, that they were the blood of Christ."[13]

Mushrooms provide contact with the Little One Who Springs Forth.[14]

"Before Wasson nobody took the mushrooms only to find God. They were always taken for the sick to get well."[15]

Health Benefits

Cures depression and physical ailments.[16]

Aztecs

Aztecs: Psilocybin and jimson weed used by Aztec Priests " Certain priests engaged in prophesies and the interpretation of visions: these could be induced by psychotropic plants - jimson weed, Psilocybe mushrooms, or peyote cactus buttons."[17]

In Ancient Aztec culture, the ruling class did psychedelics.

Another way that nobles and macehualtin who were elevated to noble status as a result of extraordinary feats on the battlefield acquired magical power was through the ingestion of ca- cao, the inhaling of burning incense, and the taking of psychotropic drugs such as peyote or hallucinogenic mushrooms. The visionary state that resulted from ingesting these plants was a direct communication with gods and goddesses, who entered into human awareness during these times. It was thought that the nobles became stronger and more effective in their public duties when they ate peyote, cacao, mushrooms, or human flesh. This was a privilege of the noble class, but it must be remembered that the main purpose was to enable them to carry out their responsibilities more effectively. [18]

The Science

  • Helps reduce heavy-drinking[19]
  • Improves mood and mental health (microdosing). [20][21]

Footnotes

  1. Estrada, Alvaro. Maria Sabina: Her Life and Chants. Translated by Henry Munn. Santa Barbara, California: Ross-Erikson, 1981
  2. Stenbæk, Dea Siggaard, Martin Korsbak Madsen, Brice Ozenne, Sara Kristiansen, Daniel Burmester, David Erritzoe, Gitte Moos Knudsen, and Patrick MacDonald Fisher. “Brain Serotonin 2A Receptor Binding Predicts Subjective Temporal and Mystical Effects of Psilocybin in Healthy Humans.” Journal of Psychopharmacology 35, no. 4 (April 1, 2021): 459–68. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881120959609.
  3. Stenbæk, Dea Siggaard, Martin Korsbak Madsen, Brice Ozenne, Sara Kristiansen, Daniel Burmester, David Erritzoe, Gitte Moos Knudsen, and Patrick MacDonald Fisher. “Brain Serotonin 2A Receptor Binding Predicts Subjective Temporal and Mystical Effects of Psilocybin in Healthy Humans.” Journal of Psychopharmacology 35, no. 4 (April 1, 2021): 459–68. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881120959609.
  4. Grant M. Jones and Matthew K. Nock, “Lifetime Use of MDMA/Ecstasy and Psilocybin Is Associated with Reduced Odds of Major Depressive Episodes,” Journal of Psychopharmacology 36, no. 1 (January 2022): 57–65, https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811211066714.
  5. Du, Yingjie, Yunfeng Li, Xiangting Zhao, Yishan Yao, Bin Wang, Liming Zhang, and Guyan Wang. “Psilocybin Facilitates Fear Extinction in Mice by Promoting Hippocampal Neuroplasticity.” Chinese Medical Journal, 9900. https://journals.lww.com/cmj/Fulltext/9900/Psilocybin_facilitates_fear_extinction_in_mice_by.497.aspx.
  6. Carbonaro, Theresa M., Matthew P. Bradstreet, Frederick S. Barrett, Katherine A. MacLean, Robert Jesse, Matthew W. Johnson, and Roland R. Griffiths. “Survey Study of Challenging Experiences after Ingesting Psilocybin Mushrooms: Acute and Enduring Positive and Negative Consequences.” Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) 30, no. 12 (December 2016): 1268–78. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881116662634.
  7. Carbonaro, Theresa M., Matthew P. Bradstreet, Frederick S. Barrett, Katherine A. MacLean, Robert Jesse, Matthew W. Johnson, and Roland R. Griffiths. “Survey Study of Challenging Experiences after Ingesting Psilocybin Mushrooms: Acute and Enduring Positive and Negative Consequences.” Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) 30, no. 12 (December 2016): 1268–78. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881116662634.</ref>
  8. Zeifman, Richard J., Hannes Kettner, Broc A. Pagni, Austin Mallard, Daniel E. Roberts, David Erritzoe, Stephen Ross, and Robin L. Carhart-Harris. “Co-Use of MDMA with Psilocybin/LSD May Buffer against Challenging Experiences and Enhance Positive Experiences.” Scientific Reports 13, no. 1 (August 22, 2023): 13645. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-40856-5.
  9. Estrada, Alvaro. Maria Sabina: Her Life and Chants. Translated by Henry Munn. Santa Barbara, California: Ross-Erikson, 1981.
  10. Estrada, Alvaro. Maria Sabina: Her Life and Chants. Translated by Henry Munn. Santa Barbara, California: Ross-Erikson, 1981. p. 32.
  11. Estrada, Alvaro. Maria Sabina: Her Life and Chants. Translated by Henry Munn. Santa Barbara, California: Ross-Erikson, 1981. p. 23.
  12. Estrada, Alvaro. Maria Sabina: Her Life and Chants. Translated by Henry Munn. Santa Barbara, California: Ross-Erikson, 1981. p. 23.
  13. Maria Sabina quoted in Estrada, Alvaro. Maria Sabina: Her Life and Chants. Translated by Henry Munn. Santa Barbara, California: Ross-Erikson, 1981. p. 40.
  14. Estrada, Alvaro. Maria Sabina: Her Life and Chants. Translated by Henry Munn. Santa Barbara, California: Ross-Erikson, 1981. p. 47.
  15. Estrada, Alvaro. Maria Sabina: Her Life and Chants. Translated by Henry Munn. Santa Barbara, California: Ross-Erikson, 1981. p. 73.
  16. Wing. “Surprising Results: Psilocybin Trial for Depression Alleviates Chronic Pain.” Psychedelics Today (blog), November 15, 2022. https://psychedelicstoday.com/2022/11/15/surprising-results-psilocybin-trial-for-depression-alleviates-chronic-pain/
  17. Townsend, Richard f. The Aztecs. London: Thames & Hudson, 2009. p. 206.
  18. Carrasco, David, and Scott Sessions. Daily Life of the Aztecs. London: Greenwood Press, 1998. p. 134.
  19. Bogenschutz, Michael P., Stephen Ross, Snehal Bhatt, Tara Baron, Alyssa A. Forcehimes, Eugene Laska, Sarah E. Mennenga, et al. “Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy vs Placebo in the Treatment of Adult Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” JAMA Psychiatry, August 24, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.2096.
  20. Bartlett, Lindsey. “Microdosing Psilocybin Mushrooms Improves Mood And Mental Health After One Month, New Study Finds.” Forbes, 2022. https://www.forbes.com/sites/lindseybartlett/2022/07/05/microdosing-psilocybin-mushrooms-improves-mood-and-mental-health-after-one-month-new-study-finds/.
  21. Rootman, Joseph M., Maggie Kiraga, Pamela Kryskow, Kalin Harvey, Paul Stamets, Eesmyal Santos-Brault, Kim P. C. Kuypers, and Zach Walsh. “Psilocybin Microdosers Demonstrate Greater Observed Improvements in Mood and Mental Health at One Month Relative to Non-Microdosing Controls.” Scientific Reports 12, no. 1 (June 30, 2022): 11091. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-14512-3.