Hallucinogenic mushrooms have been used for some time in medicine, in the treatment of depression and anxiety. They are not yet available in the form of certified treatments but are increasingly used, particularly in the United States, and are the subject of new scientific studies. Psilocybin, the active substance they contain, shows promising effects, but taking the mushrooms is not without risk. Even framed, it can cause “bad trips”, difficult experiences of hallucinations. This is the subject of a scientific study conducted by the John Hopkins Institute in the United States and published in Psychopharmacology.
Researchers asked 1,993 users to complete three questionnaires about hallucinogenic effects, mystical experiences, and altered states of consciousness, during the worst episode of psilocybin use they had ever experienced. The participants also had to provide information on the dose taken, the environment where the consumption took place, the duration, as well as the adverse effects encountered. Two-thirds of them ranked this experience among the ten most difficult experiences of their life, with 11% calling it the worst ever. One in ten users said they put themselves or someone else in danger, and 2.6% acted aggressively or violently. Five participants even attempted suicide during this experiment.
Opposite effects according to the participants
Negative effects, therefore, even dangerous, but the opposite sensations have also been reported. Six people got rid of their suicidal thoughts in this way, and a third of the participants ranked the moment as one of the five most significant or spiritually powerful experiences of their life. Half of the experiences judged positively are also considered one of the most valuable in consumers’ lives. “Given the negative and positive effects reported, the results confirm the importance of better understanding and taking into account the risks associated with psilocybin”, explains Professor Roland Griffiths, the study’s lead author.
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