Health Problems of Civilization
February 19, 2025
Julia Grochowska, Natalia Grygoruk, Marcin Weiner
3 citations
The fly agaric mushroom (Amanita muscaria) is widely regarded as poisonous and psychoactive. Patients who ingest it present to hospitals with confusion, dizziness, agitation, and ataxia; less common effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, tachycardia, bradycardia, hypertension, hypothermia or hyperthermia, and metabolic acidosis, with some fatal poisonings. Despite high public awareness of its toxicity, amateur consumption—mainly for medicinal purposes—has increased in recent decades. Recent research suggests A. muscaria may potentially help with depression, anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, autism spectrum conditions, and even addiction.
Health Problems of Civilization
February 20, 2025
Julia Wójcik, Kacper Wojciech Pamuła, Marcin Cholewa et al.
Psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in Psilocybe mushrooms, has gained attention for its effects on neuroplasticity and serotonin activity, creating new connections between brain regions. This review evaluates psilocybin's potential for treating mental illnesses, drawing on PubMed and Google Scholar databases with emphasis on post-2021 articles. Psilocybin is considered an alternative therapeutic option; some studies suggest that a single dose or several small doses combined with psychedelic-associated psychotherapy (PAP) can yield rapid benefits lasting months. It shows promise for patients unresponsive to standard treatments, with efficacy noted for depression, anxiety, addictions, PTSD, OCD, and anorexia. Psilocybin has the best safety profile among psychedelics, with no life-threatening adverse effects and few contraindications, though it may occasionally reveal psychotic disorders. More research is needed to establish a standard treatment protocol.