Question US
Study shows that Magic Mushrooms gives lasting spiritual boost. Should it be legalized for medical use?
Peter Griffin July 02, 2008 17:09:51
- 38 answers
- Read all 59 comments
- +6 raves
The feelings of well-being and life satisfaction brought on by the hallucinogen psilocybin, found in "magic" mushrooms, can last for months, according to a new study. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland found that the majority of 36 volunteers who took psilocybin in controlled conditions continued to feel the beneficial effects for more than a year afterwards. "Most of the volunteers looked back on their experience up to 14 months later and rated it as the most, or one of the five most, personally meaningful and spiritually significant of their lives," said Roland Griffiths, a professor in the department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences and Neuroscience.The first results of the clinical trial, aimed at uncovering the secrets of the "magic" mushrooms that have been used for religious or healing purposes in some cultures for centuries, were published in 2006.
Fourteen months after the trial, the 36 volunteers -- all in good physical and mental health -- were given the same questionnaire as well as some follow-up questions.
Results show that about the same proportion ranked their experience in the trial as one of the most personally meaningful or spiritually significant events of their lives.
"This is a truly remarkable finding," said Griffiths, lead author of the study which appeared in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.
"Rarely in psychological research do we see such persistently positive reports from a single event in the laboratory."
He said the results gave credence to claims that the mystical-type experiences some people had during hallucinogen sessions may help patients suffering from cancer-related anxiety or depression.
Psilocybin could also be used as a possible treatment for drug dependance, the professor said.
He said his team was "eager" to continue their research, adding that although some of the volunteers had reported fear and anxiety immediately after receiving psilocybin, "none reported any lingering harmful effects."
However, the team warned against giving hallucinogens to people at risk of psychosis or other serious mental disorders, and said it was important that it be administered under controlled conditions.
Psilocybin is a plant alkaloid that affects some of the same brain receptors as serotonin, a neurotransmitter.
Fourteen months after the trial, the 36 volunteers -- all in good physical and mental health -- were given the same questionnaire as well as some follow-up questions.
Results show that about the same proportion ranked their experience in the trial as one of the most personally meaningful or spiritually significant events of their lives.
"This is a truly remarkable finding," said Griffiths, lead author of the study which appeared in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.
"Rarely in psychological research do we see such persistently positive reports from a single event in the laboratory."
He said the results gave credence to claims that the mystical-type experiences some people had during hallucinogen sessions may help patients suffering from cancer-related anxiety or depression.
Psilocybin could also be used as a possible treatment for drug dependance, the professor said.
He said his team was "eager" to continue their research, adding that although some of the volunteers had reported fear and anxiety immediately after receiving psilocybin, "none reported any lingering harmful effects."
However, the team warned against giving hallucinogens to people at risk of psychosis or other serious mental disorders, and said it was important that it be administered under controlled conditions.
Psilocybin is a plant alkaloid that affects some of the same brain receptors as serotonin, a neurotransmitter.
Loading... 
Top Comment
-
Yes. Magic Mushrooms will help those in need
In keeping with Libertarian beliefs, I think drugs should be legal.View thread
SodaHead Hot Trends
Undecided
Yes. Magic Mushrooms will help those in need
But it is positive that people finally dare to talk about these things in mayor news channels :)
- WaffaDrunker -
Yes. Magic Mushrooms will help those in need
Yes. Magic Mushrooms will help those in need
Yes. Magic Mushrooms will help those in need
Yes. Magic Mushrooms will help those in need
Undecided
No. This drug should never be legalized
Undecided
Live right, exercise, eat healthy, and the human body will naturally feel good. Do bad things, be a shut-in by day and a party animal by night, and eat fast foods, and you will naturally feel crappy...been there done that, so I speak from experience. My experience has been that your body builds up a tolerance to stimulants of all kinds. Eventually, you'll need more and more to get the same highs. Why make yourself a slave to some outside substance to where you can't live without it?
Yes. Magic Mushrooms will help those in need
Yes. Magic Mushrooms will help those in need
Yes. Magic Mushrooms will help those in need
Undecided
Yes. Magic Mushrooms will help those in need
Yes. Magic Mushrooms will help those in need
No. This drug should never be legalized
Yes. Magic Mushrooms will help those in need
Yes. Magic Mushrooms will help those in need
Yes. Magic Mushrooms will help those in need
50% of placebos work.
my point is the fact that the body can heal itself even by suggestion.
Yes. Magic Mushrooms will help those in need
Undecided
Now what????
sniff...
oh, woe...woe..is me...
If I had only had a mushroom...Siff.
No. This drug should never be legalized
oh, and make sure you ask them during their coffee break or while they are out smoking a cigarette...
Yes. Magic Mushrooms will help those in need
Yes. Magic Mushrooms will help those in need
Yes. Magic Mushrooms will help those in need
Yes. Magic Mushrooms will help those in need
Yes. Magic Mushrooms will help those in need
to call these people druggies and not intitle them to their spiritual well being is absurd,one nation under god, jus not his laws!!!!why would the goverment want us to be free thinkers?? isnt it written "i have given all the seed bearing plants and herbs to use?"you discredit that relgion and substance have been hand in hand through out the milleniums???i believe mushrooms were legal up to 1971 .
Undecided
I can say that there are alot worse things on the market.