Psilocybin
Mushrooms containing psilocybin have traditionally been used for various reasons. Recently, psilocybin has received a lot of attention from medical researchers, and numerous studies have focused on the combination of psilocybin and depression. In this article, we explain the history of psilocybin use and describe how you can legally have a psilocybin session within the Netherlands via Triptherapie.
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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. Their use was so common that they are even depicted in ancient biblical illustrations, and texts in the Bible are dedicated to magic mushrooms.
Throughout human history, psilocybin-containing magic mushrooms have been used in rituals by believers to draw closer to God and each other. In other regions, such as the Amazon, psychedelics like magic mushrooms are also used to connect with the souls of the deceased. Magic mushrooms have also been praised for the healing properties traditionally attributed to these natural "medicines.".
Mushrooms have become illegal
After a long period of responsible use within psychedelic ceremonies, magic mushrooms were eventually made illegal. This unfortunately occurred due to a few unfortunate incidents involving improper settings or the use of drugs and alcohol. This phenomenon of criminalizing ancient "plant medicines" has spread worldwide and has led to significant changes over the past 50 years. Unfortunately, the United States has led the way, banning magic mushrooms in 1970 as part of the Controlled Substances Act. While this legislation was intended to reduce drug and crime, it has only led to more problems and misunderstandings surrounding psychedelic substances. In the Netherlands, magic mushrooms were made illegal in 2009 in an attempt to reduce the nuisance caused by mushroom-using tourists in Amsterdam. The ban was supported after several accidents were blamed on mushroom use, although it was not established that these were caused by mushroom use.
Fortunately, more and more research is being conducted into the medicinal properties of magic mushrooms, and there are calls for changes in legislation. Let's hope that magic mushrooms can soon be used responsibly for therapeutic purposes worldwide again.
The return of the mushroom?
In recent years, numerous studies have been concluded positively regarding psychedelic therapy, with psilocybin standing head and shoulders above the rest as the most studied psychedelic. Supportive therapy offers significant potential, particularly for depression and addiction.
Psilocybin therapy uses psilocybin, which is also the main substance in magic mushrooms and truffles. The results of psilocybin research provide more clarity on the potential benefits of magic mushrooms for (mental) health. If psilocybin is recognized as a medicine, this doesn't necessarily mean that magic mushrooms will become legal again. Our government could decide to only prescribe psilocybin for certain indications. Whether magic mushrooms will become legal or illegal to purchase remains to be seen.
Recent research on psilocybin
Two important recent studies on psilocybin show that psilocybin has anti-inflammatory properties, which could be good news for autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, MS, Crohn's disease, and Hashimoto's disease. Autoimmune disorders arise when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues, leading to inflammation and damage to the body.
Psilocybin can reduce the body's inflammatory response by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-6, and CRP. These cytokines play a key role in causing and maintaining inflammation in the body.
By reducing the inflammatory response, psilocybin may reduce the symptoms of autoimmune disorders and slow their progression. This could lead to an improved 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 here. A legal alternative is available in the form of magic truffles. These truffles contain the same active ingredients as magic mushrooms: psilocybin and psilocin. Psilocybin therapy can therefore be performed using truffles. This type of psilocybin therapy is currently only possible within the Netherlands. However, for people from abroad, such as Belgium and Germany, it is legal to undergo psychedelic therapy in the Netherlands. Read more about this truffle therapy via the button.