How we Should Talk About Psilocybin

Do we want laws that promote goodness? Yes. Should mental health be a priority, especially given the increasing rates of addiction, anxiety, and depression? Also yes. And if we find mental health treatments that work, are safe, and cost effective, should we not consider them as a legitimate solution? Once again, yes.

This is the context in which psilocybin (the psychoactive chemical compound found in magic mushrooms) should be framed. When discussing psilocybin, it’s easy for a conversation to go off track and get caught up in historical stigma, religious dogma, and anecdotal experiences. This can be mitigated by returning to the fundamentals of psilocybin- the overwhelmingly safe and documented medical benefits- and reiterating why psilocybin has been used for thousands of years.

The most important thing to recognize when discussing psilocybin is the context in which it is introduced and associated with. Psilocybin usage should not be framed how your friend described their recent binge drinking experience, nor associated with party drugs used to “see some crazy stuff” or “have a wild time.” Not only does associating psilocybin with this kind of leisure and ‘reckless recreation’ damage the credibility of psychedelic advocacy, but it also degrades the powerful mental health and spiritual benefits that are at the crux of psilocybin therapy.

Psilocybin ought to be introduced as a tool like the academic and researcher Rick Doblin, PhD suggests. Numerous studies have demonstrated that those who undergo psilocybin therapy are more likely to remedy their depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction. In fact, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous originally wanted to incorporate psychedelic therapy with their treatment since multiple studies of the 50’s and 60’s indicated a strong correlation between psychedelic usage and overcoming alcoholism.

Psilocybin and magic mushrooms originated in Mexico and have been used by its inhabitants for thousands of years, often under the guidance of a shaman or other practitioner. The mental health and spiritual benefits of psilocybin mushroom usage can be traced back to the ancient Aztecs where they were referred to as “flesh of the gods.”