A Trip into New Possibilities for Mental Health

Known commonly as magic mushrooms, these psychedelic members of the fungus kingdom—or, more specifically, the psychoactive substances they contain, psilocybin and psilocin—have been tightly controlled, and even demonized, in recent decades.

However, recent scientific study on psychedelic mushrooms is not actually a new endeavour; rather, it picks up on a research thread that was dropped in the 1960s with the initiation of the “war on drugs.”

Husain explains that psilocybin’s hallucinogenic effect is linked to the substance’s ability to stimulate the brain’s serotonin receptors. “But it also has actions on other parts of the brain,” he says. “For instance, it has anti-inflammatory actions; it reduces other factors in the brain that are thought to be degenerative; it is shown to improve connectivity between parts of the brain.”

These actions are believed to be linked to psilocybin’s demonstrated ability to provide sustained positive benefits to those struggling with certain mental health conditions—even with as little as one dose.

Still, as encouraging as recent findings have been, Husain cautions that evidence is still currently not strong enough to advise that these drugs are ready for clinical use.

Growing knowledge

Just one of the many research centres around the world exploring psilocybin’s medicinal possibilities, CAMH is leading a number of different studies on the substance, with one of the most important of those being Husain’s study on psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression.

“We are excited about this study because it addresses a really important question in the field: … whether the actual psychedelic effects of psilocybin are needed to induce an antidepressant or therapeutic effect,” says Husain, noting that, outside of some animal studies, this question has never been investigated.

If psilocybin is shown to help those with depression without hallucinogenic effects, it could potentially be administered to patients much more easily, without the need for the current extensive and resource-heavy patient monitoring.

Studies of this size and involving a controlled substance can be long, complex processes, but Husain is hopeful that the study—and others like it—will offer a positive sea change within the next decade.

“What we’re waiting for—which will probably happen between the next three to five years—is a large … randomized clinical trial of psilocybin for the treatment of depression, which I know is in the planning phase already; it is probably going to start soon.”

Only once large studies like this are complete for various mental health conditions—and good safety and effectiveness profiles are confirmed—will psilocybin be considered a viable treatment option for those conditions.

Curious about psilocybin for your mental health?

Health Canada advises patients suffering from mental health concerns to discuss potential treatment options with their health care practitioner.

Husain agrees with this position, further advising those who may be struggling with their mental health to avoid self-medicating and, instead, to seek the advice of a trained health care practitioner. “At this point, the overall message is that [psilocybin] is still an experimental treatment and self-medicating with any sort of substance—particularly one that is still illegal—is not advised.”

Current legal status 

While scientific evidence for its medicinal use is encouraging, psilocybin and psilocin are still illegal in Canada under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and there are no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin available in Canada.

While this status may change in the relatively near future, currently it is only possible for individuals to legally access psilocybin through one of three pathways:

1.      clinical trials

2.      Health Canada’s Special Access Program

3.      individual exemptions under subsection 56(1) of Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

Natural mental health supports while the jury’s out on psychedelic mushrooms 

Don’t forget about these important natural supports and strategies that are already easily available to help nurture your overall mental health.