The Psychology of Psilocybin in the Human Brain

We've all either heard of, tried, or know someone who has tried psilocybin. It's the active compound found in over 180 species of mushrooms, and has been used for centuries in religious and spiritual practices by indigenous cultures in Central and South America. It's revered for its ability to induce altered states of consciousness and gives meaning to the colloquial term 'magic mushrooms'.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in psilocybin within the scientific community, particularly in the field of mental health and this article will examine why. There are the specific ways in which its chemical composition interacts with our brains and we'll cover the various biological and mental predispositions that create such differing accounts for those who partake.

As always, everything we discuss here is meant to be used for entertainment and educational purposes only, we are not licensed medical practitioners and make no medical claims, recommendations, or assumptions based on how these compounds will effect you.

Mechanism of Action

Even though we all attribute the psychedelic high to psilocybin, psilocybin is actually a prodrug, meaning that it converts into another compound, psilocin, to become bioavailable and therefore active upon ingestion. Psilocybin is converted to psilocin in the liver, gets absorbed into the the bloodstream, passes the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and, due to its structural similarities to the neurotransmitter serotonin, binds to serotonin receptors in the brain.

The impact is particularly pronounced in brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex which is involved in executive functions, including decision-making, self-reflection, and abstract thinking. Psilocin increases connectivity between the default mode network (DMN)—a brain network involved in self-referential thought—and other regions of the brain, which can lead to a breakdown of sense of self a phenomenon, called "ego dissolution."

The effects of psilocin are primarily neurological with the most common effects including:

• Altered Perception of Time and Space: time may feel distorted as will the user's spatial awareness capabilities.

• Visual and Auditory Hallucinations: patterns, colors, and shapes may appear more pronounced or entirely novel.

• Emotional Shifts: as is the case with most psychedelics, psilocin tends to amplify what's already there making individuals feel intense floods of their current emotions: joy, sadness, fear, or love.

• Altered Thinking Patterns: most users report a breakdown of conventional logic, with their thoughts feeling like they're flowing freely and often connecting in atypical ways in comparison to normal waking consciousness patterns.

With all these changes to the psyche it can be easy to understand why and how recent studies have suggested that psilocybin has the potential for lasting therapeutic effects.

For individuals with treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, or anxiety, a single psilocybin session could be used to help alleviate symptoms, and with clinically tested trials, the results have already shown improvement in these areas for months. Psilocybin may also promote neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections which could explain why it has positive effects on those with negative repeating thought patterns as it has the potential to "reset" the brain.

Effects on the Human Body

Compared to the psychological effects, psilocybin’s physical effects are generally mild, common symptoms include:

• Dizziness or Lightheadedness: occurs usually as the trip begins.

• Dilated Pupils: can increase light sensitivity.

• Nausea: a common side effect for many psychedelics, especially in the first 30 to 60 minutes.

• Increased Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated which may cause a temporary increase in cardiovascular activity (heart rate & blood pressure).

• Muscle Weakness or Tremors: some users report mild muscle weakness or tremors during their trip but this is dependant on the person and cannot be a universal statement.

While most physical effects are not severe, there are potential risks for individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions so we recommend you consult with your main medical wellness practitioner before considering the use of psilocybin on your own.

The Trip's Timeline

Psilocybin trips are typically not too long, between 4 to 6 hours, with the peak occurring around 2 to 3 hours after ingestion.

In terms of creating a timeline of events, it typically looks like this:

1. Onset (30 to 60 minutes): During this period, users may begin to feel subtle shifts in perception and mood. This phase may be accompanied by physical effects such (nausea or lightheadedness).

2. Peak (2 to 3 hours): The most intense effects occur during this phase. Visual hallucinations, ego dissolution, and profound emotional shifts.

3. Plateau (3 to 4 hours): After the peak, the trip levels off. Visual effects and emotions stabilize, but altered cognition and perception continue for lingering atypical thoughts.

4. Comedown (4 to 6 hours): The user begins to return to baseline consciousness, although feelings of euphoria, confusion, or exhaustion may persist as how many users describe as an 'afterglow.'

Within each part of the timeline the trip can change in terms of intensity per person. Psilocybin can be deeply positive or it can be negative, with experiences of fear, paranoia, or emotional distress. There are many factors that contribute to a perceived 'good' or 'bad' trip with some being biological:

1. Genetics: Variations in serotonin receptor genes can influence how sensitive a person is to psilocybin. Those with certain genetic predispositions may experience stronger or weaker effects.

2. Neurochemistry: Pre-existing conditions that affect serotonin levels (e.g., depression, anxiety, or medications like SSRIs) can alter the intensity and quality of the experience.

3. Physical Health: As mentioned, individuals with cardiovascular issues may be more susceptible to physical side effects like increased heart rate.

...and some being emotional/mental:

1. Set and Setting: This refers to a user's mindset (set) and the environment (setting) in which the trip takes place. A positive, relaxed environment and a mindset of curiosity and openness are more likely to produce a favorable experience. Conversely, a chaotic or stressful environment can lead to a "bad trip."

2. Mental Health: While psilocybin is being studied for its therapeutic potential in mental health, individuals with certain psychiatric conditions, particularly those prone to psychosis, may experience more negative effects. Psilocybin has the potential to exacerbate symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders.

3. Emotional State: People who are anxious, depressed, or emotionally overwhelmed going into a trip may have more challenging experiences. However, with proper guidance and integration, even difficult experiences can yield therapeutic benefits.

It of course must be stated too that the intensity of a psilocybin trip is strongly influenced by the dose consumed. A higher dose, no matter genetic or mental predispositions will increases the likelihood of a more potent sensation of ego dissolution and mystical experiences and possibly raise the risk of anxiety and confusion. Similarly, lower doses may offer subtler effects, such as enhanced mood and creativity, without intense hallucinations, this is a common practice known as microdosing to receive some of the effects without the full psychedelic journey.

At any rate, adequate preparation, including understanding the potential effects, having a sober guide or "trip sitter," and setting intentions for the experience is recommended. All these additional factors can help prepare for a more positive outcome despite any emotions, thoughts, or memories that arise.

Potential Risks of Use

While psilocybin is considered non-addictive and has a relatively low toxicity profile, there are risks associated with its use. Legally, it's a controlled substance in many countries so understanding the laws is crucial for an overall pleasant experience.

Psychologically, panic attacks or overwhelming feelings of fear can occur within individuals who feel they are not in a safe environment, are struggling with internal emotional conflicts, or have medical/mental predispositions like schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. In rare cases, users may experience lasting visual disturbances long after the psilocybin trip has ended knwon as HPPD.

Conclusion

Psilocybin, while an emerging potential tool in therapeutic application, must be approached with care an intention. It's true that in comparison to other psychedelics it's quite mild in terms of its effects but for a complete beginner proper caution is always advised.

We do not advocate the usage of this drug without the expressed consent of your main doctor and advice you to conduct your own due diligence to understand which genus, species, and dose are right for you should you choose to proceed. If you are predisposed to any one of the many biological or psychological factors that may induce an unpleasant experience we remind you to take that into consideration before utilizing psilocybin in any form.

As research continues, psilocybin may become an important tool in both therapeutic settings and personal growth, but, again, its use should be approached with caution and respect so we hope this insight has helped in your beginning stages of preparation.

Thank you and safe travels.

References

• Carhart-Harris, R. L., et al. (2012). "Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(6), 2138-2143.

• Griffiths, R. R., et al. (2016). "Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial." Journal of Psychopharmacology, 30(12), 1181-1197.

• Nichols, D. E. (2004). "Hallucinogens." Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 101(2), 131-181.

• Johnson, M. W., et al. (2014). "Potential therapeutic effects of psilocybin." Neurotherapeutics, 11(3), 639-650.