What is psilocybin?
In Greek, the word ’psyche’ means mind, and the word ‘delic’ means to reveal. In translation these two words form the word ‘psychedelic,’ meaning to bring clarity to one’s mind. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic chemical found in various fungi, often called ‘magic mushrooms.’
According to archeologists, magic mushrooms can be cited as far back as 4000 BCE, traditionally used in spiritual or religious ceremonies. Research on psychedelic drugs halted around the 1970s due to the war on drugs, but scientific research has been gaining traction in recent years, revealing potential treatments for people with mental illness.
Here’s what researchers have discovered:
- Possible remission of depression after a single dose
Many studies demonstrate the effectiveness of psilocybin in treating depression. Treatment with psilocybin can lead to long-lasting relief after just a single dose.
- No long-term side effects
Psilocybin has no known long-term side effects, though it has been shown to produce acute discomfort during administration in high doses. Negative withdrawal effects of psilocybin consumption are possible but not common.
- Good for your brain
Psilocybin astonishingly promotes brain health by causing long-lasting neurogenesis (the formation of new brain cells) and neuroplasticity (forming new brain connections). During administration, the brain remains in a meditative state with slowed brain wave activity, while neuronal connections are increased.
Implementation progress
Psilocybin is a unique substance with promising benefits and few side effects. It is still considered an illegal substance under federal law but can be approved for research or medicinal uses in Canada. Awareness is rapidly growing as doctors and researchers continue to test its efficacy.
Here is a list of developments in Canada:
- September 2021: Canada’s first psychedelic microprogram
Clinical psychologist Dr. Monnica Williams and anthropologist Dr. Anne Vallely introduced a master’s degree program at the University of Ottawa called ‘Psychedelics and Spirituality Studies’. The program combines several academic disciplines including religion, health, anthropology and psychology. The program allows students to explore a topic that is often stigmatized.
- January 2022: Legal for therapy
As of January 2022, Health Canada will allow clinicians to request access to psilocybin through the Special Access Program for psychedelic therapy in patients with serious or treatment-resistant cases of mental illness. More and more patients across Canada are being granted permission to receive treatment with Psilocybin for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and behavioural issues.
- May 2022: Psychedelic medicine conference
The Catalyst summit 2022 was held at Queens University. The psychedelic medicine conference featured researchers, doctors, scientists and business leaders who share a vision of legalizing psychedelic therapy and making it mainstream.
The event hosted over 80 world-renowned speakers such as mycologist and author Paul Stamets and clinical psychologist and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at New York University School of MedicineDr. Anthony Bossis.
- May 2022: Largest psilocybin growing facility in the world opens in Canada
Optimi Health in Princeton, BC opened a 10,000 square food legal psilocybin mushroom growing facility that can produce 4000 pounds at a time. The company hopes to make Psilocybin accessible in hopes of changing lives while ending the stigma that surrounds magic mushrooms. Todd Henderson, the head of cultivation for the company, said that Psilocybin has the potential to replace many of the synthetic drugs currently on the market.
Psychologists, researchers, and doctors are quickly realizing the potent therapeutic benefits of Psilocybin mushrooms. The scope of mental health treatment is foreseeably reverting back to using Psilocybin as a tool for healing.
Feature image by Spencer Colby
