Could Magic Shrooms Hold the Key to Overcoming Eating Disorders?
May 9, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Anorexia nervosa (AN) and other eating disorders like bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder impact approximately 9% of the worldwide population, with higher incidences among women.
It is important to prioritize the treatment as without intervention, the mortality rate for individuals with severe eating disorders can reach up to 20%, but with proper treatment, it dramatically decreases to 2-3%.
Today, the scientific community and even eating disorder sufferers are exploring the therapeutic potentials of alternative treatments like shrooms and keenly selecting the most reliable mushroom dispensary.
Key Takeaways:
- Eating disorders affect roughly 9% of the global population.
- About 20% of people with severe eating disorders die without treatment.
- Scientists and eating disorder sufferers are exploring alternative treatment options like shrooms.
Anorexia
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder leading to low body weight, an extreme fear of weight gain, and a distorted perception of weight. Those with anorexia prioritize weight and shape control, usually resorting to extreme measures that significantly disrupt their lives.
Impacts
- Ritualistic behaviours in AN to restrict energy intake and prevent weight gain.
- It leads to chronic food refusal, deprivation, and devastating physical symptoms.
- AN has the highest treatment costs and mortality among psychiatric illnesses.
- Only 31% of patients reach recovery after nine years.
- Approximately 2-4% of individuals with AN experience lifelong persistence of the disease.
- AN in adulthood is challenging to manage and treat.
Treatment Options
Early intervention is necessary in the treatment of anorexia to prevent severe complications. Timely diagnosis and treatment contribute to better outcomes.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy for anorexia aims to help individuals understand triggers, modify thoughts and behaviours, and enhance responses to stress.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Addresses problematic thought patterns and promotes healthier food-related behaviours.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Encourages commitment to healthy eating patterns.
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Assists in recognizing negative triggers and modifying reactions, focusing on stress management, emotional regulation, and mindfulness.
- Family-based Treatment (FBT)
Involves families in nutrition rehabilitation and treatment, particularly effective for adolescents and young adults.
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
Enhances communication and interpersonal relationships to alleviate anorexia symptoms.
Psychodynamic therapy: Explores underlying fears and needs associated with anorexia.
Medication
Individuals with anorexia may require antidepressant medications or antipsychotic medications to address emotional conditions like anxiety and depression. These medications may be beneficial in managing anorexia, and antipsychotics can potentially contribute to weight gain, which is advantageous in treatment.
Nutrition Counselling
It helps address inadequate food intake and nutritional deficiencies and promotes healthier eating habits. It restores weight, fosters a positive relationship with food, and emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet. This counselling involves dietary adjustments and nutritional supplements to address deficiencies in vitamins and minerals.
Hospitalization
In cases where the condition is severe, hospital care may be necessary. Hospitalization may be best for individuals with the following conditions:
- Severe weight loss
- Malnutrition
- Heart disorders
- Severe depression
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
For individuals who are psychiatrically and medically stable, outpatient treatment may be an option if their symptoms are well-managed and constant monitoring is not required.
Magic Mushrooms
Magic mushrooms have demonstrated potential in the treatment of eating disorders like anorexia, offering a novel approach to address these conditions. Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are a type of fungi that has the psychoactive compound psilocybin, which can induce hallucinations and altered states of consciousness when consumed.
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic agent produced by more than 200 species of fungi. It is a psychedelic molecule that may mediate with the altered serotonin in the brain of individuals with AN, reducing their symptoms.
How Psilocybin Works Against Anorexia
Recent research on classic psychedelics like LSD, 5-MeO-DMT, DMT, and psilocybin indicates their potential to reduce anxiety and depression-like symptoms, leading to long-lasting improvements in mental health.
Given the common co-occurrence of anxiety and depression in anorexia nervosa (AN), these findings suggest that classic psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, could help restore dysfunctional neurobiological systems in AN.
Psilocybin as a Novel Pharmacotherapy for Treatment-Refractory AN
In a study published in OBM Neurobiology, researchers found that participants taking classic psychedelic substances have reported experiencing increased open-mindedness, psychological and cognitive flexibility, and a greater willingness to try new activities. They have also shown improvements in dismantling rigid thought patterns.
These positive changes can have long-lasting benefits for mental health. Psilocybin enhances emotional empathy, openness, and connectedness, making it a valuable adjunct during psychotherapy - an intervention relevant for individuals with AN who often struggle with openness in therapy.
Traditional Treatment vs. Magic Mushroom Therapy
Medications can help treat eating disorders by addressing comorbid symptoms like depression, anxiety, and trauma. However, there is currently no medication specifically targeting the restrictive behaviours associated with AN.
Antidepressants may be considered to prevent relapse in weight-restored patients. Still, there is limited evidence of their effectiveness in maintaining weight gain. Further, there has been a link between their use and adverse effects, such as the increased risk of violence and suicidal thoughts.
Magic Mushroom Therapy
Compared to medications, psilocybin found in magic mushrooms offers several advantages in the treatment of anorexia:
- Psilocybin has shown significant potential in reducing anxiety and depression-like symptoms.
- Psilocybin enhances emotional empathy and openness, which is helpful to individuals in exploring and addressing underlying emotional issues associated with their eating disorders.
- Magic mushroom therapy has the potential for sustained reductions in depressive symptoms and improvements in anxiety and anhedonia, leading to long-lasting improvements in mental health.
- It can provide transformative experiences that offer individuals a fresh perspective on their eating disorder, promoting personal growth, self-reflection, and breaking free from destructive patterns.
Magic Mushrooms at Zoomies Canada
Explore Natural Remedies
The use of magic mushrooms in the treatment of anorexia offers a promising avenue for addressing the complex mental health issues associated with the disorder. As a natural remedy, magic mushrooms have gained recognition for their potential therapeutic benefits in a range of mental health conditions.
Zoomies Canada has an extensive collection of top-quality mushrooms if you want shroom options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I take mushrooms if I go to psilocybin-assisted therapy to treat anorexia?
- Preparation Sessions. Before taking psilocybin, you'll have one or more sessions with a therapist to prepare mentally and emotionally.
- Psilocybin Sessions. You will undergo a few sessions where you take psilocybin in a controlled environment, usually lasting 4 to 6 hours each, supervised by trained therapists.
- Integration Sessions. After each psilocybin session, you'll participate in multiple sessions to help process your experience and apply any new insights to your daily life.
The treatment might include 2-3 psilocybin sessions over several weeks or months, each followed by integration therapy. The exact duration depends on the specific treatment plan tailored to you.
Do I need a prescription or medical recommendation to purchase magic mushrooms from a dispensary in Canada?
Yes, you need a medical prescription or an exemption to purchase and use psilocybin mushrooms, as they are not allowed for everyone's use. For therapeutic use, individuals can apply for a Section 56 exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, which, if granted, allows them to possess and consume psilocybin for medical purposes. Health Canada has also started to grant exemptions for certain health practitioners to use psilocybin in clinical trials or end-of-life therapy.
What should I expect during a visit to a mushroom dispensary?
During a visit to a mushroom dispensary, expect the warm assistance of a well-informed and friendly staff member who can look through different mushroom strains, dosages, and consumption methods. They may also offer educational resources, consultations, and assistance in selecting the most suitable mushrooms for your needs.
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