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Psilocybin represents a paradigm shift in the treatment approach to OCD as well as other mental health conditions including depression and anxiety. Individuals with OCD often describe comorbid symptoms of depression and may be at an increased risk of suicide. Conventional treatment approaches rarely get to the root of the problem.
Lets dig in and see what various people and studies have shown in regards to this area.
Psilocybin alleviate concerns with excessive doubt and rumination, these are key elements underlying obsessions which may be measured through assessment of a specific brainwave pattern—measured as error related negativity (ERN)—that increased in individuals with symptomatic OCD. “It is not often in the field of psychiatry that we find a treatment that may immediately and significantly change an individual’s symptoms that have been present for years. Treatment with psilocybin, when done in an interpersonally supportive setting with a well-prepared individual, is not only safe but may result in rapid and significant reductions in overall OCD symptoms and a general improvement in overall quality of life.”
“One particular network of brain structures known as the Default Mode Network (DMN) is highly involved in self-referential thinking and has been shown to have increased connectivity and activity in individuals with OCD. Treatment with psilocybin may dramatically change and reset functional connectivity with DMN structures leading to reduced OCD symptoms”
Transformative Potential
The possibility of transformative & mystical experiences also contributes to the longer term benefits and resolution of OCD tendencies. Amazingly, psilocybin demonstrates a sophisticated ability to reduce brain overactivity, simultaneously diminishing the overly-scrutinizing tendencies of the OCD scripts. Increased neural plasticity is also heavily associated with these benefits. Users have reported that they become more grounded and are able to turn off their compulsions with more ease.
The key may be in the ego dissolution property of the mushroom and how people are able to more easily grasp acceptance as an appropriate response to minor issues. They start to be able to detach from the emotional involvement in trivial matters, or sometimes have their eyes opened to a bigger perspective that lessens the anxiety of the ‘small stuff’. Heroic dosing has it’s place for sure, but microdosing also provides an effective means of maintaining these transformations to enable a longer lasting shift in how we make our way in the world.
Psilocybin for Anxiety
Evidence from primarily small observational studies suggests that taking tiny doses of psilocybin, the hallucinogenic component of magic mushrooms, can enhance cognitive function and lessen depressive and anxiety symptoms.
According to these findings, a broad study now demonstrates that people who took psilocybin in small doses for a month had better moods and had a higher decrease in anxiety, sadness, and stress than those who did not.
Notably, those with mental health issues also experienced the benefits of microdosing psilocybin for their mental health and mood.
The term “microdosing” refers to taking small amounts of psychedelics like LSD or psilocybin mushrooms. People typically take one dose per week, and some even go months without taking another one.
The Role of Serotonin
Psilocin — the psychedelic metabolite of psilocybin — has a similar molecular structure to serotonin.
Most researchers believe a lack of serotonin could play a role in anxiety and depressive disorders.
Psilocin and other serotonergic substances interact with the 5-HT receptors in ways we don’t fully understand yet . However, we do know it affects this system, and feelings of bliss on spiritual levels are possible through these substances.
“Anxiety and sadness can result from serotonin levels that are low or unbalanced.”
Simply feeling those emotions of joy, knowing those levels of ecstasy are possible, might be the biggest mechanism of action.
