Magic Mushrooms and the Brain: Understanding How Psilocybin Alters Consciousness

Archeological evidence indicates that the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms has been part of human history for many millennia. Ancient paintings of human figures that appear to be under the influence of mushrooms have been discovered in Africa and western Europe. In central and south America, there is extensive evidence showing the use of psychedelic mushrooms for religious and medicinal purposes.

In the last decades, there has been a renewed interest, both cultural and scientific, in the effects and practical uses of magic mushrooms and other hallucinogens.

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What’s going on in the Psychedelic Brain – The Subjective

The actual experience for users of shrooms is difficult to describe, and largely impossible for scientists to measure and record. Ingesting psilocybin (A.K.A. magic mushrooms, shrooms) causes a hallucinogenic effect that begins to affect the user within thirty minutes. The user will often experience mild anxiety or a strong sense of anticipation at the beginning. Physical sensations of energy or mild electricity running through the body are common. Further into the “trip” users can experience a high state of euphoria, mood enhancement, general happiness, insightful ideas and sense of creative energy. Effects also include dreamlike distortions of time, space and sensation, visions of geometric patterns, vivid flights of imagination and freely wandering nonlinear trains of thought. The resulting user insights have been described as profoundly mystical, religious, spiritual, and even philosophical. 

What’s going on in the Psychedelic Brain – The Science

There are several known and measured chemical and physical effects of psilocybin: increased neural connectivity, altered serotonin signaling, and disruption of the brain’s default mode network (DMN).

Neural connections are a fundamental aspect of brain architecture and allow communication among neurons for various brain functions. Psilocybin increases communication between different regions of the brain that don’t normally interact extensively. Psilocybin mimics the structure of serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, cognition, and perception. The DMN is the brain “network” in which certain regions are active when the mind is at rest and not focused on outside phenomena.

Beyond Recreation – The Therapeutic effects of Psilocybin

Studies have shown that the psychedelic state, often likened to dreaming, induces contrasting effects on brain networks. Specifically, while emotional activity intensifies, the coherence of the default-mode network (DMN), associated with our sense of self (ego), diminishes. Psilocybin, for instance, reduces brain activity in the DMN, temporarily dissolving the sense of self. The mechanism by which dissolving the sense of self actuates improved psychological states is not well understood. This reduction in activity extends to other brain regions, affecting cognition and memory. Consequently, psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, may mitigate cognitive “noise” in the brain. These effects have therapeutic implications for depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

Maintaining Focus on Safety

The therapeutic applications psilocybin do not make it a cure-all for every psychological condition. Like all hallucinogens, magic mushrooms have the ability to exacerbate existing mental illnesses and have been known to cause psychotic breaks. Individuals with a history of mental health disorders, and those taking antidepressants or mood stabilizers. should not experiment on their own with psychedelics. It is safer to use the services of a  certified clinic to try the therapeutic effects of any hallucinogen.