Psilocybin mushrooms (magic mushrooms) are fungi that contain the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. There are approximately 190 species of psilocybin mushrooms and most of them fall in the genus Psilocybin. Psilocybin mushrooms area also called magic mushrooms as these contain hallucinogenic compounds in their chemical compositions. The most hallucinogenic is the synthetic LSD.Many other hallucinogens that occur naturally may be referred as magic mushrooms, DMT (dimethyltraptamine) , mescaline, datura or angel’s trumpet .Hallucinogenic as the name suggests are the chemicals that produce hallucinations in the human mind pertaining to different senses or sense organs.Hallucinogens change the perception of the
people about their environment and surroundings. The perception of reality is greatly changed by consuming hallucinogens.Hallucinogenic mushrooms may have a history that dates back as far as one million years ago, and are said tobe originated in East Africa. There is some archaeological evidence for their use in ancient times Hallucinogenic species of Psilocybin have a history of use among the native peoples of Mesoamerica for religious communion, religious ceremonies divination, and healing, from pre-Columbian times up to the present day. Poisonous and lethal wild mushrooms can be easily mistaken for psilocybin mushrooms, but true psilocybin mushrooms are non-toxic National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a branch of the Center for Disease Control rated psilocybin less toxic than aspirin When psilocybin is ingested, it is broken down to produce psilocin which is responsible for the hallucinogenic effects The total psilocybin and psilocin content of the mushrooms which varies significantly both between species and within the same species, but is typically around 0.5-2% of the dried weight of the mushroom Crude poisoning Long term effects in crude poisonings such as flashbacks or Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder - reoccurring hallucinations. These occur even after much time has passed since the drug was ingested. The cause of these hallucinations is unknown, but they have been reported after as little as one experience with the drug. The precise prevalence of these effects is also unknown. Magic mushrooms have also been controversially associated with long term effects such as panic attacks, depression and paranoid delusions. Even with these potential risks, magic mushrooms were rated as one of the safest of all recreational drugs by experts in a study by the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs Magic mushrooms contain psilocin and psilocybin. These compounds are psychedelics. They will cause an effect similar to a "trip" on LSD. Loss of reality may be experienced and severe anxiety and paranoia can occur. One
may experience a bad trip. Short term effects of magic mushrooms. • Feeling of intense exaltation, euphoria and well being • Auditory and visual hallucinations. • Disturbed sense of time and space • Nausea and dizziness • Stumbling gait or disorttentation or disco ordination of body organs • Increased body temperature and sweating • Shivers and chills • Paranoia. Medicinal uses New scientific studies on the application of magical mushrooms to human diseases suggest that terminally ill cancer patients struggling with panic attacks and anxiety may get some relief from a guided “trip” on the hallucinogenic drug psilocybin. According to a study survey which was published in the Archives of General Psychiatry; the twelve patients who took a small dose of psilocybin—the active ingredient in “magic mushrooms” under the supervision of trained therapist, Charles Grob, MD Three months after taking psilocybin the patients reported feeling less anxious and their overall mood had improved remarkably. By the six-month mark, the group’s average score on a common scale used to measure depression had declined by 30%, Charles Grob, MD, a professor of psychiatry at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, in Torrance, .lead the research team. Dr. Grob’s findings are very encouraging and opening new vistas for the caner patients. Dr Grobe has advocated the use of magic mushrooms to the cancer patients suffering from anxiety. Homoeopathic uses As far as the material medica of homoeopathy is concerned these fungi having many medicinal values and properties have not been proved so far: While its counterpart agaricus also an eatable vegetable mushroom is well documented and well proved remedy. As is evident from the crude poisoning if a proving is done of this remedy than there is no doubt that it will prove a great remedy for curing cancer and accompanying hypochondria and anxiety states of cancer patients. It has potential in its composition as has been shown by Charles Grob, MD, a psychiatrist, to prove boon for the persons suffering from depression and anxiety .The medical community should take note of its therapeutic values in its crude form. I have no doubt in pointing that along with agaricus and nitric acid magic mushrooms will prove to be milestone in the history of homoeopathy as far as anxiety states of health of patients are to be cured.. Let someone come forward to prove this remedy and serve the humanity in a big way.