Psychedelics and Mental Health

Psychedelics have been around in some form or another for centuries in non-Western cultures, but they were virtually unknown to Western society until the 1950s. After that, they gained notoriety as a recreational drug and became popular among members of the counterculture movement. However, their use was banned in the United States in 1970 due to the government’s fears over their potential effects on mental health. 

Fast forward to present day, and psychedelics are experiencing a resurgence in the public eye. This is partly due to the work of Michael Pollan, the author of “How to Change Your Mind,” a book which delves into the history and potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics. He also produced a Netflix series based on his research, which has increased public awareness of psychedelics and the potential they have to treat various mental health conditions.

Today, researchers are exploring a variety of different psychedelics, such as psilocybin-containing fungi, in clinical trials to examine their effects on anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, addiction, OCD and several other conditions. In particular, some studies have shown that psilocybin can reduce anxiety and depression in cancer patients.

The results of these studies are incredibly promising, and suggest that psychedelics may offer a safe and effective way to treat mental health conditions. While more research needs to be done, there is hope that these compounds will eventually become an accepted therapy option alongside traditional treatments.

The possibilities offered by psychedelics are vast and exciting, and the potential for these compounds to revolutionize mental health treatments is enormous. It’s an area of research that we should be paying close attention to as new discoveries are made every day, and it could be therapy’s next frontier.  With ongoing scientific research, there’s a chance that psychedelics will soon become an accepted treatment for mental health conditions and mental illness. This could bring about a revolution in the way we think about, talk about, and treat mental health, giving people access to more options and treatments than ever before.

Psychedelics have the potential to be life-changing for those struggling with their mental health, and it’s inspiring to see the advances being made in this field. The future of psychedelics is bright, and with continued research and exploration, they could revolutionize the way we treat mental health conditions. There’s no telling what the future holds, but it’s sure to be an interesting journey.

Interested to learn more about fungi and mycelium’s potential to change the world? Listen to our podcast episode with MycoWorks’ co-founder, Phil Ross, “Embracing the Mystery of Mycelium.”