Many of the clinical trials on magic mushrooms Canada have targeted regular users as participants, but this study by a group of neuroscientists used themselves as subjects.
A renowned doctor in the field of neural science scanned his brain while under the influence of high-dose psilocybin. He recalled the experiences as “weird” and “awesome.” And for the first time, the science community is getting insights into which networks are getting altered in the host’s mind.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways:
- Psilocybin causes neural activity disruption through the interaction with serotonin receptors.
- A doctor scanned himself in fMRI under the influence of cubes and found significant disruption in functional connectivity between specific nervous system areas.
- Psilocybin disrupts the synchronized activity of neurons, particularly in the default mode network, to increase its flexibility and openness to new connections.
Experience of a Neuroscientist on a Psilocybin User’s Shoes
A known professor of neurology, Dr. Nico Dosenbach, had taken a large dosage before he slipped in the MRI tunnel. They aimed to collect the neural activity of magic mushrooms in the nervous system.
Dosenbach’s Profile
Doctor Nico Dosenbach is a professor of neurology at Washington University in the School of Medicine in St. Louis. He’s also a professor of psychological and brain sciences, radiology, biochemical engineering, and pediatrics. He wants to understand how the nervous system works and changes after an injury, particularly in children.
Clinical Interests:
- Perinatal stroke
- Traumatic brain injury
The Doctor’s Tripping
Dr. Dosenbach’s decision to trip with the substance firsthand comes from his curiosity about finding out the mind-bending effects by himself. He got intrigued by the potential of the drug to promote plasticity and its implications for mental health treatment, particularly in areas like depression and addiction.
Witnessing the changes in his brain scans provided him valuable insights into the drug’s mechanism. Specifically, it was all part of a study by a group of neuroscientists designed to show how a magic mushroom interacts with the receptors to produce its effects.
Understanding Psilocybin
Psilocybin is one of the psychoactive substances in the list of classic psychedelics. It is a hallucinogenic chemical that affects the brain in high doses dramatically. This substance used to be among the unauthorized drugs for testing, but now researchers can study this compound.
The compound is naturally occurring, and when ingested, it converts into psilocin. It then interacts with serotonin receptors to alter states of consciousness, hallucinations, and, for some, spiritual experiences.
It can provide various effects depending on the user’s tolerance, body composition, and metabolism. They also have therapeutic benefits, including mental health conditions and treating substance addiction. Magic shrooms can range in peak tryptamine content.
How it Works
It works by attaching to serotonin receptors in the prefrontal cortex. This area in the nervous system is responsible for cognition, mood, and perception. When they activate the specific area mentioned, it stimulates the cerebral functions and further alters them. A dose or two can induce dramatic changes and long-lasting effects.
Describing its Effects
Main Impacts: Likely to happen to users.
| Altered Perception | Alter the primary visual and parietal cortexChange user’s perception of time, space, and their own bodies. |
| Visual and Auditory Hallucination | Induce vivid visual and auditory hallucinations. Intense colours, patterns, and sounds characterize these hallucinations. |
| Increased Connectivity | Connection between different brain regions leads to discovering new insights and perspectives. |
Secondary Impacts: May or may not happen to users.
| Uplifted Emotions | Amplify emotions leads to feelings of euphoria, peace, or awe. |
| Spiritual Journeys | Simulate profound spiritual experiences like the shamanic journeys. Includes sensations of interconnectedness and transcendence. |
| Boosted Creativity | Stimulate creativity and innovative thinking. |
The Study: The Brain Under Psilocybin’s Influence
Dosenbach and other neuroscientists conducted a study that detailed their participants, procedures, key findings, and conclusions. They used healthy adults as subjects for the research.
Procedure
The participants underwent multiple functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans:
- Before substance administration
- During the acute effects of psilocybin (25 mg dose)
- During the acute effects of methylphenidate (40 mg dose)
- 3 weeks after substance administration
- 6-12 months later, after another dose
Key Findings
The active shroom compound disrupted functional connectivity (FC) between neural regions, especially in the cortex and subcortex. This disruption leads to decreased correlations within and between certain networks. The default mode network (DMN), associated with self-referential thought, was particularly affected.
The study found that the substance alters connectivity, particularly between the hippocampus and the default mode network. These changes can persist for several weeks and vary in intensity based on distinct individual experiences. Interestingly, engaging in specific tasks can reduce the extent of these changes.
Dosenbach’s Personal Experiment
Along with this scientific research is Dosenbach’s personal experiment with shrooms. He was randomly assigned to receive either a stimulant or 25 milligrams of shrooms. The researchers used fMRI to find out his neural activity under the influence. The doctor described that he was inside his mind, riding its waves and personifying himself as Marc Raichle.
His reaction to the trip was, “I was, like, drifting deeper into weirdness,” stating that he may have fallen apart. He added, “I didn’t know where I was at all. Time stopped, and I was everyone.” His final remark was, “It was an awesome experience for a neuroscientist,” emphasizing that experiencing the trip firsthand was thrilling and extraordinary.
Further in the Context
Dr. Joshua Siegel, a researcher at the same University, said that hallucinogenic mushrooms cause the mind to function differently. Normally, neurons work synchronized, but this synchronization falls apart with the influence of drugs. This disruption, especially in the DMN, allows it to become more flexible and open to new connections.
Brain Scan Results and Analysis
Magic mushrooms cause drastic changes in Dr. Dosenbach’s brain functions. It disrupted his regular connections, especially in the cortex and subcortex. This disruption is most noticeable in the DMN, which involves introspection and daydreaming. This desynchronization may explain why the substance can lead to strange sensations like what he quoted as “weirdness.”
In an interview, the doctor mentioned drifting into weirdness. It may be that he encountered a layer of himself distortedly. This might explain the disoriented sense of self as an effect of shrooms. In connection, he also mentioned losing track of time, which signifies that minutes and hours seemed to function irregularly. He also details how he personifies everyone as him, which emphasizes the sensation of interconnectedness that magic mushrooms can bring.
Desynchronization is a Good Thing
Dr. Nico Dosenbach’s personal experiment is an eye-opening experience, not just for the neuroscience field but for almost all users. It turns out that disruption in neural activity can be a good thing, and Health Canada recognizes shrooms as a developing drug and potential treatment for mental health disorders.
Zoomies Canada shroom online dispensary offers curated shelves of psychedelic mushrooms to induce effects and trips like the doctor had. They offer with free magic mushroom delivery for those interested. This is our effort to guarantee your safety, as our products are from known cultivators. It prevents the consumption of poisonous mushrooms that cause multi-system organ failure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I administer psychedelic mushrooms myself?
You can eat them raw or dried. If you want something discreet, infuse it into baked goods and drinks. This method masks the earthy flavour of the cubes. You cannot dab or smoke cubes. You can only do this method for cannabis. For a controlled dosage, try psilocybin capsules.
What practice can I follow to incorporate cubes safely to promote mind functioning?
Microdosing is the best and most common choice for users. Initial clinical trials suggest that through microdosing, you will be able to ingest the optimum amount of shrooms into your body for the desired impact without the intoxicating effects of hallucinogens. This includes energy boost, creativity, and focus. Aside from this, microdosing promotes long-term relaxation and therapeutic benefits.
What is the positive impact of disrupting the DMN with psychedelics?
One hallmark of depression is rumination, a passive, repetitive focus on negative thoughts and feelings. By inhibiting the default mode network and restoring healthy neuronal connectivity, psilocybin mushrooms can reduce depressive rumination.
