The hallucinogen found in "magic
mushrooms" could help treat a variety of
psychiatric disorders, including depression,
anxiety and even addiction, researchers say.
A new study provides clues on how much of
the substance patients could take to get the
greatest benefit with the least risk,
researchers say.
However, use of the substance, called
psilocybin, is not without risk. Its side effects
include paranoia and delusions.
Under the second-highest dose given in the
study, patients said they had a "mystical"
experience that they felt was significantly
personal and spiritual, but few noted any side
effects. Participants reported improvements in
attitude, mood and behavior that were
confirmed by their friends and family.
The study was small and much more research
is needed to determine exactly how it's
working.
And even if the drug becomes available for
prescription, it should always be given under
the supervision of properly trained personnel,
the researchers said.
"The model of it would never be, 'take two of
these and call me in the morning,'" said study
researcher Matthew Johnson, an assistant
professor of psychiatry and behavioral
sciences at Johns Hopkins University.
"Someone having an adverse reaction might be
so scared they might run across a highway
and be hit by a car," he said. "We wouldn't
encourage anyone to do these things in a non-
supervised context."
Magic mushrooms
Psilocybin is mainly being considered as a
treatment for terminally ill patients who
experience depression and anxiety, and for
those with hard-to-treat addictions, including
alcoholism, Johnson said.
Psychiatric research on hallucinogens,
including LSD, was conducted in the 1950s
through the 1970s. However, it was stopped
after recreational use of these drugs led to
cases of drug abuse and the drugs were
perceived as a public health concern, said Dr.
Charles Grob, of Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
in Torrance, Calif, who has conducted
research on psilocybin, but was not involved
in the new study.
It has only been over the last decade that
scientists have resumed the research.
In the new study, 18 healthy volunteers
received four doses of the drug during
separate, eight-hour sessions.
At the second-highest dose, two-thirds of the
patients reported a "mystical" experience, the
type believed to have the greatest long-term
psychiatric benefits. Just 5.6 percent reported
experiencing extreme fear or anxiety. At the
highest dose, the number experiencing
unwanted side effects jumped to 33 percent,
the researchers said.
All side effects were short-lived and did not
harm the volunteers after the session, the
researchers said.
"They're demonstrating that, under optimal
conditions, they can reliably induce mystical-
level experiences, which in and of themselves
appear to have a therapeutic potential," Grob
said.
One year later, 83 percent said these mystical
experiences increased their well-being and life
satisfaction moderately or very much, the
researchers said. Close to 90 percent reported
changes in their behavior, including improved relationships with family and increased
devotion to spiritual practice.
Why does it work?
Researchers aren't sure how the drug works.
The model seems quite different from that of
most modern psychiatric medications, which
are taken regularly.
The sessions may change the way people think
about themselves and the world around them,
and may give their lives more meaning,
Johnson said.
The therapy may work through the same
mechanisms, regardless of whether it's being
used on a terminally ill patient or one with an
addiction to alcohol. "There's something very
important about the person recognizing
fundamental meaning in their life," Johnson
said.
Grob agreed the benefit seems to come from
restoring a sense of purpose.
When you have a terminal illness "That thread
of meaning that has carried you through your
life…that often evaporates," Grob said. "Having
a profound experience seems to be able to re-
infuse people with that meaning."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43415761/ns/health-mental_health/#
