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Ask Laura! "Magic" mushrooms help depression, anxiety & addictions?
Posted on Jul 4th 2008 6:30AM by Laura LewisFiled Under: Ask Laura!
Life Fitness is a process of continuous growth: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Need motivation and guidance to facilitate positive changes in your life? Ask Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis!Dear Laura:
I suffer from anxiety. It prevents me from relaxing, and I am in a constant state of worry. I recently read that "magic mushrooms" have been found to help cure people with my condition. I hate taking prescription drugs. What's the deal? It sounds like an an interesting alternative.
Signed,
Wound Up in Tulsa, Ok
Dear "Wound Up,"
Wow! Talk about a great question. A year and a half ago, you may recall reading about a short-term study performed in a controlled environment where test subjects with various emotional conditions such as anxiety and depression ingested mushrooms containing psilocybin. After two months, their conditions improved dramatically. More recently, researchers at John Hopkins followed up on the psychotropic mushroom study participants and found the beneficial effects long lasting.
I suffer from anxiety. It prevents me from relaxing, and I am in a constant state of worry. I recently read that "magic mushrooms" have been found to help cure people with my condition. I hate taking prescription drugs. What's the deal? It sounds like an an interesting alternative.
Signed,
Wound Up in Tulsa, Ok
Dear "Wound Up,"
Wow! Talk about a great question. A year and a half ago, you may recall reading about a short-term study performed in a controlled environment where test subjects with various emotional conditions such as anxiety and depression ingested mushrooms containing psilocybin. After two months, their conditions improved dramatically. More recently, researchers at John Hopkins followed up on the psychotropic mushroom study participants and found the beneficial effects long lasting.
"Magic mushrooms," as they are more commonly called, are illegal; so I wouldn't suggest running out and trying to find them. Plus, one should be cautious as during the initial psychedelic study, one third of the participants experienced periods of feeling as if their hearts were racing and had increased temporary anxiety. In a non-controlled environment, researchers state one might be in danger of hurting him or herself. Otherwise, the heightened sensory experience caused those who ingested the "Alice in Wonderland" shrooms to feel as if "hearts were opened" and their long-standing fears and anxieties to be released for good! Hmmm, I don't know about you, but I am going to keep a close watch on this. Will it be possible in the future for your doc to write you a prescription for a "mushroom" experience? Check out this video for more info on the study.
In the meantime, here are some "legal" natural alternatives for alleviating anxiety and also highlighted as sleep aids in the August 2008 issue of Natural Solutions Magazine:
In the meantime, here are some "legal" natural alternatives for alleviating anxiety and also highlighted as sleep aids in the August 2008 issue of Natural Solutions Magazine:
- L-theanine- You can buy this in supplement form but is also found naturally in green tea. An amino acid, L-theanine is known to help maintain calm alertness throughout the day and improve deep sleep due to it playing a role in the formation of GABA. Gamma-aminobutryric acid is crucial to a quality sleep experience. Fifty to 200mg at bedtime is recommended, and it can also be used during the day for anxiety!
- 5HTP-Hydroxytryptophan helps your body manufacture serotonin. If you begin taking the supplement, it can take up four to six weeks before you experience a notable. Two hundres to 400mgs at bedtime is the recommended dose. If you begin using this, and are already taking serotonin re-uptake inhibitors as prescribed by your physician, then be sure you are supervised.
- Hops- Although used in beer you need to take the dried herb for them to have a calming effect upon the body. Known to reduce anxiety and relax muscles, they also help improve sleep if combined with lemon balm and valerian. How much? Thirty to 120 mgs at bedtime.
- Passionflower- Passiflora is also known to have a calming effect upon the body. Ninety to 360 mgs at bedtime should do the trick.
I hope this helps! And a great question by the way! I too have bouts of anxiety, typical of a first born, type A personality, and I welcome natural solutions to help me "chill"! I am a big believer in taking natural supplements, getting enough sleep, exercising, laughing regularly, as well as practicing yoga and meditation in order to take the edge off and help me to live a higher quality existence. (Translation: I am a better friend, mom, and companion when I am proactive regarding my mental health! )
Healthfully Yours,
Laura Lewis, Life Fit Expert
