Research suggests that psilocybin can lead to an array of benefits, including improved mental health, enhanced creativity, spiritual and personal growth, physical health, and is a potential therapy for alcoholism and cigarette cessation.
Psilocybin Mushroom Benefits
Things to Know
- Research suggests psilocybin mushrooms may improve mental health conditions
- Psilocybin may reduce the frequency of cluster headaches
- The mystical experience caused by psilocybin may contribute to personal growth
Benefits: Mental Health
A growing number of studies show that psilocybin mushrooms can have a positive impact on specific mental health1 conditions, including various2 types3 of anxiety,4 Treatment Resistant Depression,5 Postpartum, and Major Depressive Disorder,6 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,7 and PTSD.8 The research also suggests that mushrooms may also improve mood, increase well-being, and enhance emotional processing.
Physical Health
Mushrooms are believed by some to be the safest of all recreational drugs. Microdosing9 and taking up to 1.5 grams10 of psilocybin has been shown to be an effective treatment11 for cluster headaches and migraines.12
More research is needed to identify the relationship between headache and treatments involving psilocybin mushrooms.13
Small doses of psilocybin14 may also be a useful supplement for athletes due to their ability to help sharpen mental focus and enter a flow state more easily. While mushrooms by themselves won’t get someone into better physical condition, which requires cultivating a healthy, active lifestyle, mushrooms are said by some to help make working out easier and less painful.
Substance Use Disorders
Psilocybin is being researched as a potential treatment for substance use disorders, including cigarette15 and alcohol16 addiction. Currently, the research suggests that psilocybin may help individuals gain new perspectives and insights, and lead to reduced cravings and increased motivation to overcome addiction.
Spiritual and Personal Growth
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for hundreds of years in various cultural and spiritual practices. Many individuals report profound mystical or spiritual experiences,17 increased feelings of connectedness, and a sense of transcendence or awe after taking larger doses of mushrooms — usually above 1.5 grams. These experiences may contribute to personal growth, the ability to self-reflect more deeply, and a broader perspective on life.
Increased Creativity
Psilocybin is often associated with enhanced creativity, increased openness18 to new ideas, and a broadening of perspective. People typically experience19 heightened creativity a few days after a psychedelic experience, rather than during.
