For countless generations, psilocybin “magic” mushrooms have captivated humanity, yet they have not always been met with open arms by conservative institutions.
From their widespread use since the Paleolithic era to their suppression by the Catholic Church in the 15th and 16th centuries, and finally their resurgence in the 20th century by anthropology and holistic practitioners, the therapeutic applications of psilocybin mushrooms have gone from strength to strength.
In this article, we delve into the nature of psilocybin “magic” mushrooms, how they function, their therapeutic applications, and their historical use.
What Are Magic Mushrooms?
Psilocybin: Overview and Mechanisms of Action
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound present in specific species of mushrooms, most notably the psilocybe genus.
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly referred to as “magic mushrooms” or “shrooms,” have been employed for thousands of years by various cultures due to their psychoactive properties, which can provoke altered states of consciousness, perceptual shifts, and profound psycho-spiritual insights.
Chemical Composition and the Metabolism
Psilocybin is a tryptamine alkaloid, possessing a core structure in common with other compounds naturally synthesized by the brain, such as dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and serotonin.
Its chemical structure closely mirrors that of serotonin, which plays an essential role in the regulation of mood, cognition, and perception. Shortly after being ingested, psilocybin, the liver metabolises it into its active form.
Effects of Psilocybin
The effects of psilocybin can differ significantly depending on factors like dosage, individual sensitivity, and the environment in which it is consumed.
Typically, the effects of a full dose begin to manifest within 20-40 minutes after consumption, and the experience may last 4 to 6 hours. Some common psychological effects include:
• Altered perception of time and space
• Augmented sensory perceptions (for example, more vivid colors, crisper sounds)
• Emotional amplification
• Euphoria or a sense of well-being
• Spiritual or mystical experiences
• Synesthesia (e.g., “hearing” colors or “seeing” sounds)
• Visual and auditory hallucinations or distortions
Lately, there has been a renewed curiosity surrounding the possible therapeutic uses of psilocybin. Clinical trials are being conducted to explore its effectiveness in addressing issues like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction.
Key Figures and Dates in the Therapeutic History of Psilocybin
Robert Gordon Wasson
Although their use extends far into the past, the discovery and development of the therapeutic applications of psilocybin mushrooms can be traced back to the 1950s.
Robert Gordon Wasson (1898-1986) was a notable American figure who worked as an ethnomycologist, writer, and banker. Best known for his groundbreaking work on the cultural and historical aspects of psychoactive mushrooms, particularly in their religious and spiritual use, Wasson’s work played a significant role in introducing psilocybin mushrooms to the Western world.
In 1955, alongside his wife Valentina Pavlovna Wasson, a Russian-born physician, Wasson journeyed to Mexico to study the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms in indigenous cultures.
Taking part in a conventional Mazatec mushroom ritual, guided by the shaman María Sabina and involving the consumption of psilocybin mushrooms, inspired Wasson to explore the significance of these fungi in religious and cultural customs.
In 1957, Wasson introduced the world to the mysterious power of psilocybin mushrooms in his article “Seeking the Magic Mushroom” (pgs. 102-108) in Life Magazine. This publication sparked international curiosity and prompted further investigation into the properties and potential therapeutic uses of these enigmatic fungi.
Albert Hofmann and the Dawn of Clinical Research
Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann made a serendipitous discovery in 1938 while trying to stabilize lysergic acid, a fungal compound used in medicine for migraines. Unintentionally, he synthesized lysergic acid diethylamide, also known as LSD.
It wasn’t until a few years later, after accidentally exposing himself to the compound, that he discovered its hallucinogenic properties.
In 1958, Hofmann effectively extracted the mind-altering substance psilocybin from the Psilocybe mexicana mushroom species.
Early Research
During the 1960s, researchers began to examine the potential therapeutic applications of LSD. Some initial studies showed promising results in treating conditions such as alcoholism, and it was also used to alleviate depression and anxiety in patients with terminal cancer.
However, the rising recreational use of psychedelics and the growing counterculture movement led to a halt in research, culminating in the classification of both psilocybin and LSD as Schedule I substances in 1970.
The Psilocybin Research Renaissance
Research Beginning in the early 2000s, interest in the therapeutic applications of psilocybin rekindled, and researchers commenced new clinical trials. Some key studies include:
a) A 2006 study by Roland Griffiths and his team at Johns Hopkins University demonstrated that psilocybin could induce mystical experiences with lasting, positive effects on well-being and life satisfaction.
b) In 2011, Charles Grob and his team at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center conducted a study showing that psilocybin could alleviate anxiety and depression in patients with terminal cancer.
c) In 2016, two parallel studies conducted by Roland Griffiths at Johns Hopkins University and Stephen Ross at NYU Langone Medical Center revealed that as little as a single dose of psilocybin has the potential to substantially alleviate anxiety and depression in individuals with cancer, maintaining its impact for an extended period.
d) Both previous and recent studies led by Alan Davis at Johns Hopkins University found that psilocybin-assisted therapy could lead to significant reductions in depression and anxiety among patients with major depressive disorder.
At present, numerous clinical studies are being conducted to explore the healing properties of psilocybin for a range of mental health issues, including PTSD, substance dependence, and intractable depression.
Psilocybin Throughout History
Separate from Terence McKenna’s contentious theory of psilocybin’s role in the emergence of human consciousness (which we will explore in the next blog), there is well-documented evidence that our relationship with what some call “God-revealing” hallucinogens stretches far back in history.
The Cave Paintings of Tassili n’Ajjer
On the turbulent journey of our collective consciousness, we often find ourselves, gazing upon the annals of history and wondering what our ancestors did when they weren’t occupied with activities such as hunting, gathering and procreating.
In fact, it seems that our forebears engaged in the hallowed practice of ingesting mushrooms, broadening their consciousness and establishing a link with the indescribable and the divine.
In his book “Food of the Gods: The Search for the Original Tree of Knowledge,” the respected ethnobotanist and mystic, Terence McKenna, writes about the Tassili n’Ajjer cave paintings, saying that the clear depiction of figures holding mushrooms, as well as a series of mushroom-headed figures joyfully running stands as a clear testament to the influence of psilocybin on human consciousness.
McKenna was not the sole enthusiast captivated by these age-old expressions of the psychedelic journey. Another expert in the realm of psychedelics, Giorgio Samorini, devoted much of his writing to the topic of these cave illustrations.
It appears that the Tassili n’Ajjer’s cave artwork serves as a testament to the ancient employment of hallucinogenic flora in ceremonial customs, possibly dating as far back as the Neolithic period when the Sahara flourished as a vibrant savanna, teeming with life, rather than the barren expanse it is today.
It is intriguing to consider whether the artists of Tassili n’Ajjer’s caves could have ever envisioned that their masterpieces would continue to spark a sense of awe and fascination in the minds of those residing in the far-off future, an astonishing nine millennia later.
Conversations with Self-Appointed (Hu)Man-Gods
In most circumstances within human communities, a tendency, characteristic, or meme (a piece of cultural information passed from one individual to another) will inevitably attract both its supporters and critics.
The consumption of psychedelics like mushrooms is not exempt from this reality, as it has, characteristically of human nature, polarized public opinion into a binary assessment of positive or negative.
Individuals who regard the use of mushrooms favorably can be labeled as “mycophiles,” while those who view them as intrinsically negative are referred to as “mycophobes.”
Since we have already discussed some of history’s most notable enthusiasts, let us now delve into the mycophobes, their questionable methods, and dubious “achievements.”
The European Invasion of Mesoamerica (1519-1521)
Upon arriving in Mesoamerica, European conquerors encountered native cultures such as the Aztecs and the Maya. These societies had been utilizing various psychoactive plants, including ayahuasca and psilocybin-containing mushrooms, in religious and healing ceremonies.
In their mission to convert the indigenous people to Christianity, the Europeans regarded the use of these substances as evil and attempted to suppress them.
By that time, Christianity had emerged from a diverse spiritual environment and become a dominant patriarchal belief system centered around a single, masculine deity—God.
As most prevailing cultures tend to do, it confronted and nearly obliterated the rich wisdom and traditions accumulated over millennia. Based in animism, such societies believed in the equality and interconnectivity of all beings, both plant and animal.
As the Catholic Church extended its patriarchal influence, it aggressively targeted those it deemed “nonbelievers,” consolidating power by discouraging the idea that individuals could communicate directly with the divine.
After all, if, as observed in shamanic tribal societies of the time, anyone could converse with their gods without the need for elite intermediaries, what would happen to the Church and its clerical hierarchy if such knowledge spread?
The (Un)Holy Inquisition (16th-18th centuries)
Guided by accounts from the conquerors who returned to Europe, the Spanish Inquisition often regarded the use of hallucinogenic substances, including psychedelic mushrooms, as proof of witchcraft or heresy.
The Spanish Inquisition was a legal institution established in 1478 by King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile to maintain Catholic orthodoxy and suppress heresy within their realms.
Supervised by the Catholic Church, the Inquisition primarily focused on persecuting converted Jews and Muslims, Protestants, alleged witches, and other minorities considered heretical or threatening to Catholic orthodoxy.
President Nixon’s “War on Drugs”
In the latter half of the 20th century, the consumption of psychedelic substances, including psilocybin mushrooms, grew more prevalent in Western societies.
Governments worldwide, spearheaded by the United States and the Nixon administration, implemented stringent drug policies to curb the use of all psychoactive substances (with the exception of those produced by pharmaceutical companies, of course).
The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 in the US categorized psilocybin as a Schedule I substance, rendering its possession, distribution, and use illegal, and similar legislation was enacted in other nations.
The Limitations of Conventional Therapy
The remarkable journey of psilocybin mushrooms through the ages, from the sacred rites of our ancient forebears to the intrepid pursuits of contemporary researchers, underscores the lasting fascination with these enigmatic fungi.
As time has relentlessly marched forward, witnessing the rise and fall of numerous civilizations, the psychoactive properties of these mystical organisms have persisted as an integral aspect of the human narrative.
Over the past two decades, a resurgence of interest in ancestral plant medicines has revealed a wealth of possibilities, providing hope and healing for those struggling with various mental health conditions.
Traditional treatments for mental health concerns have demonstrated their effectiveness at managing symptoms but have also shown their limitations in offering significant breakthroughs that allow those suffering from issues like addiction, PTSD, depression, chronic anxiety, or anhedonia to regain control of their lives.
Our expanding comprehension of the potential advantages of ancestral plant medicines such as ibogaine signals a profound shift in how we at Tabula Rasa Retreat view and address mental health, as we work to dismantle the obstacles that have impeded therapeutic progress for far too long.
If you enjoyed this post, keep an eye out for the next one, where we will delve deeper into Terence McKenna’s provocative theory regarding psilocybin and the emergence of human consciousness.
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