Do Magic Mushrooms have medicinal value? Joshua Root

Psilocybin Facts Contained in many different mushrooms. Contained in many different mushrooms. Originated in East Africa Originated in East Africa serotonin (5-HT)-2A/2C receptor agonist serotonin (5-HT)-2A/2C receptor agonist ILLEGAL! ILLEGAL!

Effects Psilocin Psilocin Duration of 3-8 hours Duration of 3-8 hours

Effects Continued Physical effects Physical effects Increase in heart rate Increase in heart rate Elevated blood pressure Elevated blood pressure Dilated Pupil Dilated Pupil Nausea Nausea Coldness and weakness in limbs Coldness and weakness in limbs

Effects Continued Emotional effects Emotional effects Strongly dependent on setting Strongly dependent on setting Mood swings Mood swings Exaggeration of mood at ingestion Exaggeration of mood at ingestion

Effects Continued Sensory effects Sensory effects Visual Visual Auditory Auditory Synthesia Synthesia stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway

Proposed Medicinal Uses Psychotherapy Psychotherapy 1950’s 1950’s Modern proposals Modern proposals OCD OCD Cluster Headaches Cluster Headaches Body dysmorphic disorder Body dysmorphic disorder

Treatment of OCD OCD OCD 4 th most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder 4 th most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder Complications Complications Depression, suicidal tendencies, panic, substance abuse, and interpersonal difficulties Depression, suicidal tendencies, panic, substance abuse, and interpersonal difficulties Dysregulation of Serotonin Dysregulation of Serotonin 5-HT reuptake inhibitors 5-HT reuptake inhibitors

OCD Treatment Findings Dr. Francisco Moreno Dr. Francisco Moreno Completely removed symptoms Completely removed symptoms 4-24 hours 4-24 hours Jeremy Jeremy Fear of contamination Fear of contamination Symptoms relieved Symptoms relieved

Treatment of Cluster Headaches Triggered by a few different causes Triggered by a few different causes Interruption of sleep pattern, certain medication, abnormal hormone levels, and heavy smoking and drinking alcohol Interruption of sleep pattern, certain medication, abnormal hormone levels, and heavy smoking and drinking alcohol Results Results 53 participants 53 participants 85% aborted attack 85% aborted attack 95% reported extension in remission 95% reported extension in remission 42% benefited from sub hallucagenic doses 42% benefited from sub hallucagenic doses

Treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder Mr. A Mr. A Relieved symptoms Relieved symptoms Mrs. B Mrs. B Relieved symptoms Relieved symptoms

Critiques and Comments Duration of positive results Duration of positive results Not a drug that can be used all the time Not a drug that can be used all the time Less toxic than aspirin Less toxic than aspirin

icinal_use icinal_use icinal_use icinal_use Mushrooms-Just-another-Drug-or-a-Powerful-Medicine Mushrooms-Just-another-Drug-or-a-Powerful-Medicine