Psilocybin
Psilocybin mushrooms have traditionally been used for a variety of reasons. Recently, psilocybin has received a lot of attention from medical science and there are many studies focusing on the combination of psilocybin and depression. In this article we explain the history of psilocybin use and describe how you can legally do a psilocybin session within Dutch borders through Trip Therapy.
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An old medicine reinvented
Evidence has been found that Europeans used magic mushrooms for psychedelic therapy and religious rituals at least 6,000 years ago. In fact, its use was so common that ancient Biblical images depict magic mushrooms and there are texts in the Bible dedicated to magic mushrooms.
Throughout human history, psilocybin-containing mushrooms have been used during rituals by believers to get closer to God and closer to each other. In other areas, such as the Amazon, psychedelics such as magic mushrooms are also used to make contact with the souls of the deceased. The mushrooms were also praised for the healing properties that have traditionally been attributed to the use of these 'medicines' from nature.
Magic mushrooms have become illegal
After a long period of responsible use within a psychedelic ceremony, magic mushrooms have finally become illegal. Unfortunately, this happened due to a few unfortunate incidents where the setting was not right or there was a mix of drugs and alcohol. This phenomenon of criminalizing age-old 'plant medicines' has occurred worldwide and has led to major changes over the past 50 years. Unfortunately, the United States has set an example in this regard, with the ban on magic mushrooms being introduced in 1970 as part of the Controlled Substances Act. While this legislation was intended to reduce drugs and crime, it has only led to more problems and misunderstanding surrounding psychedelic substances. In the Netherlands, magic mushrooms became illegal in 2009 in an attempt to reduce nuisance caused by magic mushroom-using tourists in Amsterdam. The ban was supported after several accidents blamed on mushroom use, although it was not established that it was caused by mushroom use.
Fortunately, more and more research is being conducted into the medicinal properties of magic mushrooms and calls are being made for a change in legislation. Let's hope that magic mushrooms can soon be used responsibly for therapeutic purposes worldwide again.
The return of the mushroom?
Many positive studies have been completed in recent years regarding psychedelic therapy, with psilocybin standing head and shoulders above the rest as the most researched psychedelic. Accompanying therapy offers a lot of potential, especially for depression and addictions.
Psilocybin therapy uses psilocybin, which is also the main substance in magic mushrooms and truffles. The results of the studies into psilocybin provide more clarity about what magic mushrooms can do for (mental) health. If psilocybin is recognized as a medicine, it does not necessarily mean that magic mushrooms will become legal again. Our government could choose to only prescribe psilocybin for certain indications. Whether magic mushrooms will become legal or illegal remains to be seen.
Recent research on psilocybin
Two important recent studies on psilocybin show that psilocybin has anti-inflammatory properties, which can be good news for autoimmune conditions such as Rheumatism, MS, Crohn's and Hashimoto's. Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues, leading to inflammation and damage to the body.
Psilocybin can reduce the inflammatory response in the body by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-alpha, IL-6 and CRP. These cytokines play an important role in causing and maintaining inflammation in the body.
By reducing the inflammatory response, psilocybin may be able to reduce the symptoms of autoimmune conditions and slow the progression of the disease. This can lead to an improvement in the quality of life for people with these conditions.
Legal psilocybin therapy
Both synthesized psilocybin and magic mushrooms are illegal in the Netherlands. However, we can offer psilocybin sessions in the Netherlands. A legal alternative is available in the form of magic truffles. These truffles contain the same active substances as magic mushrooms, namely psilocybin and psilocin. Psilocybin therapy can therefore be carried out using the truffles. This construction of psilocybin therapy is currently only possible within the Dutch borders. However, it is legal for people from abroad, such as Belgium and Germany, to undergo psychedelic therapy in the Netherlands. Read more about this truffle therapy via the button.
