In a context where mental health issues are increasingly concerning, scientific and medical research is trying to identify innovative solutions to improve the psychological well-being of patients.
It is with this in mind that mushrooms, and particularly their active ingredient, psilocybin, are currently at the heart of promising studies and research.
French Mush takes stock in this article, relying on scientific studies.
Psilocybin as a potential treatment for anorexia nervosa
According to a recent study, it appears that psilocybin is highly effective in treating certain eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa.
Associated with psychological support, it enabled approximately 40% of the participants in this study to significantly improve their condition and reduce their anxiety related to their weight, body shape, and diet.
The hope for an innovative treatment
Dr Trevor Steward (PhD candidate), a senior researcher from the University of Melbourne, confirmed that the study demonstrated the good tolerance of anorexic patients to psilocybin.
He also specified that this gives hope for other mental illnesses.
These results are particularly encouraging for healthcare professionals, as they offer a new perspective on the management of anorexia nervosa – a disease with serious consequences often involving hospitalization and long-term follow-up for the patients concerned.
The possibility of combining therapy involving psilocybin with psychological support could represent a real advancement for their well-being.
Other mental illnesses and disorders concerned
Beyond anorexia nervosa, psilocybin also generates great interest for treating other mental health issues.
Among these pathologies, we can mention:
- Depression: several studies have shown positive results on the effectiveness of psilocybin for the treatment of depression, especially when it is resistant to conventional treatments.
- Anxiety: the anxiolytic effects of psilocybin have been demonstrated in studies conducted on patients suffering from anxiety disorders, with a significant improvement in their symptoms.
- Addictions: some research suggests that psilocybin could be useful in helping people with dependencies to break free from their addiction, whether it be tobacco, alcohol, or other substances.
A controversial therapeutic potential
It should be noted, however, that the use of mushrooms for medical purposes is not without controversy.
Indeed, their pharmaceutical quality must be rigorously controlled.
Moreover, certain substances are still considered illegal in many countries today, which complicates the conduct of clinical studies and hinders the development of this therapeutic avenue.
Perspectives and challenges to overcome
Despite the controversies surrounding its use, psilocybin represents a promising area of research for improving the management of mental disorders.
To realize this potential, several challenges will need to be addressed:
- Conducting clinical studies: In order to confirm its efficacy and safety, it is crucial that psilocybin undergoes thorough studies with a large panel of patients.
- The adoption of appropriate legislation: to enable the development of medical treatments based on hallucinogenic mushrooms, adequate regulation must be implemented by the competent authorities.
- An ethical approach: researchers and healthcare professionals must ensure that psilocybin is used in a caring and respectful manner towards patients' rights.
In sum
If some obstacles remain to be overcome, the current outlook shows that it is more necessary than ever to seriously consider mushrooms as a novel avenue for improving brain health.
As scientific research progresses, one can hope that these substances will reveal even more therapeutic benefits to address the major mental health challenges our societies face.
Discover now the benefits of our mushrooms at French Mush.
Sources :
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02455-9
Psilocybin, a promising treatment to counter anorexia nervosa
Megan Brooks
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