- Published: November 16, 2021
- Updated: November 16, 2021
- University / College: Emory University
- Language: English
- Downloads: 36
– A weakness in the study design was that all of the participants sat together as they were administered the drug, and therefore could observe and tell when others were acting out of character. Their own behavior could have been affected by the behavior they saw in others around them, as a result of their expectation of how they should themselves should react.
– Twenty-two of the thirty six patients who took psilocybin described having a ‘ mystical experience,’ and twenty-five stated at the end of the sessions that they had had one of the most meaningful spiritual experiences of their lives. Four of the patients taking methylphenidate reported a similar mystical experience after taking this drug. However, eleven of the thirty-six taking psilocybin experienced feelings of extreme fear and dread. In general, twenty-nine of the volunteers psilocybin reported having an increase in well-being and satisfaction with their lives.
– The risks associated with psilocybin that are described in this article are as follows: sleep problems, delusions, hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, sense of unreality, impaired judgment of time or space, panic attacks, agitation and confusion. The risks after taking psilocybin are sadness, faintness, depression, and paranoid interpretations. The physiological side effects are not significant, but can include nausea, shivering, weakness, dizziness and dilation of the pupils. Fatal cases are rare and are often associated with other drugs, alcohol and even tobacco. Flashbacks have also been reported. People taking psilocybin sometimes had run-ins with the law because they acted as public nuisances or were reckless drivers.
– I do not think that Psilocybe mushrooms should be legalized. There are far too many adverse effects associated with taking them . The mushrooms can be dangerous for the person taking them, as well as for anyone around the affected person. Combining magic mushrooms with other substances such as alcohol can confound these problems. While certainly some people seem to have a positive experience from taking magic mushrooms, the risks outweigh the benefits. Marijuana, for example, may be taken to reduce pain and does not cause depression or anxiety. For that reason, medical marijuana deserves to be available for certain patients. The same cannot be said for psilocybe. The only way it could be used medically would be under patient containment, and even then, there would be concerns about suicide attempts. The fine for taking psilocybe should be less than it is for taking a serious drug such as heroin, for example, but perhaps more than it has been for smoking pot.