Shroom to Grow

Cannabis may not be the only organic substance with health benefits. Psilocybin mushrooms—you may know it by a more popular names: magic mushrooms or shrooms—have been shown to contain an active compound that may be a treatment for anxiety in terminal cancer patients and help with addiction. While rumor has it that the mushroom may have been used since prehistoric times—they’ve been depicted in rock art—and that many cultures have used it in religious rites, the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) has been studying a synthetic version of the active psychoactive compound in the mushrooms: psilocybin. While the studies are not complete, early research in the ’50s and ’60s showed that it might help fight addictions and ease end-of-life fears, according to a recent Time.com article. Today, scientists have treated over 150 volunteers in 350 drug-trial sessions. According to the article, “like previous psychedelic experimenters, today’s volunteers often report profoundly mystical experiences” and in some studies have reported after use that they no longer considered themselves as overly anxious or worried people. Currently, the studies on tobacco addiction and alcoholism have just begun with encouraging results.