Today's episode journeys into the neuroscience behind magic mushrooms! Psilocybin, the psychoactive ingredient, is known for making its users feel like their senses are mixing, their brains are dissociating, and the walls are melting? Does it all come down to cortical deactivation in the brain region responsible for encoding our sense of self? Come and listen to learn a little bit more about magic mushrooms effects, their huge potential as therapies for mental health disorders, and the potential consequences of their use.

If you have any comments, questions, concerns, queries, or complaints, please email me at [email protected] or DM me at @NeuroscienceAmateurHour on Instagram. Citations below:

Hartney E. What to Know About Magic Mushroom Use. Verywell Mind. Published February 26, 2012.

Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms) Uses, Effects & Hazards. Drugs.com. https://www.drugs.com/illicit/psilocybin.html.

Lowe H, Toyang N, Steele B, et al. The Therapeutic Potential of Psilocybin. Molecules. 2021;26(10):2948. doi:10.3390/molecules26102948

‌Aronson JK, ed. Psilocybin. ScienceDirect. Published January 1, 2016. Accessed January 26, 2022. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978044453717100158X

Drug Scheduling. www.dea.gov. https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling#:~:text=Schedule%20I%20drugs%2C%20substances%2C%20or

Carhart-Harris RL, Erritzoe D, Williams T, et al. Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2012;109(6):2138-2143. doi:10.1073/pnas.1119598109

Bhagwagar Z, Hinz R, Taylor M, Fancy S, Cowen P, Grasby P. Increased 5-HT(2A) receptor binding in euthymic, medication-free patients recovered from depression: a positron emission study with [(11)C]MDL 100,907. The American Journal of Psychiatry. 2006;163(9):1580-1587. doi:10.1176/ajp.2006.163.9.1580

Psychedelic Treatment with Psilocybin Relieves Major Depression, Study Shows. Johns Hopkins Medicine Newsroom. Published November 4, 2020. 

‌More promise for psilocybin in depression but safety remains a concern. Clinical Trials Arena. Published November 15, 2021.

Vollenweider FX, Vollenweider-Scherpenhuyzen MFI, Bäbler A, Vogel H, Hell D. Psilocybin induces schizophrenia-like psychosis in humans via a serotonin-2 agonist action. NeuroReport. 1998;9(17):3897-3902. 

Mozhdehipanah H, Gorji R. Subarachnoid Hemorrhage as a Manifestation of Magic Mushroom Abuse: A Case Report and Review Literature. Journal of Vessels and Circulation. 2020;1(3):40-42. doi:10.52547/jvesselcirc.1.3.40

‌Hendricks PS, Johnson MW, Griffiths RR. Psilocybin, psychological distress, and suicidality. Journal of Psychopharmacology. 2015;29(9):1041-1043. doi:10.1177/0269881115598338

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: 

SAMHSA's National Helpline
800-662-HELP (4357)
TTY: 800-487-4889

Support the show