Shrooms Canada has become a focal point in discussions about psilocybin’s potential to address serotonin imbalances linked to anorexia. This is a condition with one of the highest mortality rates among psychiatric disorders. A staggering 70% of people believe that psychedelic medicine could offer new hope for treating eating disorders.
With no approved pharmacological treatments currently available, the exploration of it as a therapeutic option is not just timely; it could be revolutionary. Buckle up and join us on this fascinating journey—let’s explore how shrooms might just hold the key to healing.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways:Â
- People with this condition have reduced serotonin receptor activity, especially the 5-HT2A receptor. This receptor leads to rigid thinking that persists even after they’ve gained weight.
- Traditional therapies like CBT and medication fail to address the root causes of these disorders.
- Psilocybin’s ability to correct imbalances in brain signalling can alleviate rigidity, mood disturbances, anxiety, and body image distortions.Â
What Is Anorexia Nervosa?
It is a multifaceted eating disorder characterized by fear of weight gain and a distorted body image. Patients with this condition have severe food restrictions and significant weight loss. The symptoms may include:
- Extreme Weight Loss: A body weight significantly below what is normal for their age and height.
- Cognitive Inflexibility: Rigid thinking patterns. Dangerous behaviours or beliefs about food and body image.
- Obsessive Behaviours: Compulsive calorie counting, excessive exercise, and avoidance of certain foods deemed “unhealthy.”
- Physical Symptoms: Involve fatigue, dizziness, hair loss, and other health complications resulting from malnutrition.
The cognitive inflexibility associated with this condition manifests as dichotomous thinking—viewing situations in black-and-white terms—where they struggle to consider alternative perspectives or make decisions regarding food intake.
What Makes It Complex
Research indicates that serotonin, a neurotransmitter essential for regulating mood and behaviour, is disturbed in individuals with this condition. This disturbance plays a significant role in the disorder’s persistence and the challenges faced during recovery.
Altered Serotonin SignallingÂ
Those suffering from this condition exhibit reduced serotonin receptor activity, particularly the 5-HT2A receptor. This has led to cognitive rigidity observed in these individuals. This alteration persists even after weight restoration, suggesting that the disorder’s effects extend beyond immediate nutritional deficits.
Cognitive Rigidity
The impaired signalling correlates with difficulties in cognitive flexibility. Individuals with the condition demonstrate increased activity in brain regions associated with habitual decision-making rather than flexible thinking. This shift results in automatic responses to food choices that favour low-calorie options without conscious deliberation.
Impact on Treatment OutcomesÂ
The entrenched habits formed due to altered function complicate recovery efforts. Many patients revert to disordered eating patterns post-treatment because their decision-making processes have become habitual and resistant to change. Approximately 50% of those who initially responded well to treatment experienced relapses.
Why Traditional Treatments Struggle with Anorexia
Traditional therapies, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and pharmacological interventions, fall short of addressing the underlying cognitive and neurobiological causes that contribute to the disorder.
| Standard Treatments | Description | Limitations |
| Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) | A common therapy that helps patients identify and change unhealthy thoughts and behaviours about food and body image. | Struggles with flexible thinking, making CBT less effective.CBT does not address imbalances, which can hinder recovery. |
| Medications | Use drugs like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to treat anxiety or depression alongside anorexia. | Many do not respond well, and improvements are modest.Medications may not effectively address the disturbances that contribute to rigid behaviours. |
| Cognitive Inflexibility (set-shifting) | Refers to the difficulty in adapting thoughts and behaviours. | Patients follow rigid dietary rules, so changing eating habits is hard.Individuals may become stuck on specific food-related thoughts, leading to repetitive behaviours. |
Psilocybin and the Brain’s Serotonin System
Psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in a magic mushroom, exerts its effects primarily through interaction with serotonin receptors in the brain. Upon ingestion, it turns into psilocin, which acts as an agonist at several receptor subtypes, particularly the 5-HT2A receptor.
Psilocin binds to 5-HT2A receptors, distributed throughout various brain regions. This binding is responsible for the psychedelic effects experienced by users, including altered perception and mood changes.
Research indicates that it reduces the energy required for the brain to transition between different activity states. This “flattening” of energy barriers allows for more fluid movement, potentially enhancing mental flexibility and adaptability.
Research on Psilocybin’s Benefits for Mental Health Conditions
| Publication Year | Authors/Organization | Key Findings |
| 2023 | University of California | 40% of participants reported significant reductions in disordered behaviours with a single 25-mg dose. |
| 2023 | Yale University, etc. | 25-mg dose treatment led to significant reductions in major depressive disorder (MDD) symptoms. |
| 2022 | Saint James School of Medicine, etc. | The analysis compiled data from multiple studies, highlighting improvements in patients’ symptoms after administration. |
Canada is at the forefront of exploring its therapeutic applications, particularly through initiatives like “Shrooms Canada.” The Canadian government invested nearly $3 million to support clinical trials examining the efficacy of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for conditions such as mental illness, alcohol use disorder, and advanced-stage cancer patients.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research is facilitating studies that aim to better understand the safety and effectiveness of psychotherapy. These trials are important for establishing evidence-based practices for using psychedelics in mental health treatment, especially as Health Canada recognizes the potential benefits of integrating such therapies into supportive care frameworks.
Psilocybin Therapy and Its Promise for Anorexia Treatment
Many people with these disorders struggle to break rigid thought patterns. Psilocybin’s neuroplastic properties may offer a potential solution.
Rebalancing Neurotransmitter Systems
Its stimulation of the receptors can correct imbalances in the signalling that contribute to rigidity and mood disturbances. Alterations in the pathways contribute to anxiety, behavioural inhibition, and body image distortions, which are common in this condition.
Improving Set-Shifting
Promoting greater adaptability in thinking patterns may enable patients to break free from entrenched beliefs about food and body image. This flexibility is necessary for overcoming the rigid thought processes that characterize the condition. It can improve set-shifting in other psychiatric conditions, so it suggests similar benefits for those with eating disorders.
A Real Testament: Current Studies
Recent research has begun to investigate the potential of psychoactive substances as a remedy for anorexia nervosa. Notable studies include:
Disorder Treatment & Research Center
A phase 1 trial involving 10 women with anorexia demonstrated that a single 25 mg dose, combined with psychological support, was safe and well-tolerated. Approximately 40% of participants reported significant reductions in eating disorder behaviours after treatment.
Participants also experienced decreased anxiety and preoccupations surrounding food, with many describing the experience as one of the most meaningful of their lives.
Monash University, Department of Physiology
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry explored the effects of set-shifting and weight maintenance in a rat model of anorexia. The findings indicated that it not only helped maintain body weight but also improved set-shifting in adapting to changes in reward conditions.
Final Thoughts
Traditional treatments for these disorders are complex, and relapse is common. This is because many treatments fail to address the underlying imbalances in brain chemistry, such as serotonin. Psychedelics offer a promising alternative, as they interact with neural pathways closely related to eating disorders. Their ability to rewire the brain may provide new hope for patients seeking lasting recovery.
Zoomies Canada is an online dispensary specializing in magic mushrooms. With a growing interest in psychedelics for mental health, we provide a safe and discreet way to access these substances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What role does psychotherapy play in psilocybin-assisted treatment?
Trained healthcare professionals administer it to help guide patients through their experiences, minimize risks, and maximize therapeutic benefits. The integration of psychotherapy aims to enhance the overall effectiveness as a treatment modality.
Where to access these controlled drugs?
One can legally access psilocybin and other psychedelics through clinical trials or online. It is safe to get these controlled substances from these places because you can be certain that they contain the exact substance and not one laced with strong illegal drugs like cocaine.
Does the active compound address the mental health disorders associated with eating conditions?
Yes. Initial clinical trials have shown that psilocybin can reduce symptoms of depression, OCD, and anxiety. Patients who consume psilocybin experience an overall improvement in their well-being, which leads to a better quality of life.
