The ban on magic mushrooms
The ban on magic mushrooms in the Netherlands came into effect on 1 December 2008. This ban followed a number of incidents that were widely reported in the media, in which the use of magic mushrooms was linked to serious accidents and even fatalities. The most notable incidents occurred in 2007, when several young people had fatal accidents while under the influence of magic mushrooms. However, later research could not guarantee that magic mushrooms were the sole cause of the accidents. It often turned out to be polydrug use.
The decision to ban magic mushrooms was mainly based on public concern and the perception that these substances were dangerous. The government decided to put magic mushrooms on the list of prohibited substances, with the aim of protecting public health. This led to the criminalization of the use of magic mushrooms. The ban made it more difficult to offer therapeutic sessions with magic mushrooms.
Psilocybin as a known substance in magic mushrooms
Psilocybin is the most well-known psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms, largely due to its relatively high concentration relative to other psychoactive compounds in the mushrooms. This compound, known chemically as O-phosphoryl-4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, is converted in the body to psilocin, the active form responsible for the psychedelic effects.
Psilocin is the active metabolite of psilocybin. However, psilocin is less stable than psilocybin; it oxidizes more quickly and can therefore lose its effectiveness if not stored properly. Due to the instability of psilocin, the precursor psilocybin is often mentioned first and is also used more often in scientific research.
In addition to psilocybin and psilocin, mushrooms also contain baeocystin, norbaeocystin, tryptophan in lower concentrations, and some sources even mention a little DMT in mushrooms. Because the concentration of these substances is on the low side and most of them are converted to psilocin, they are often considered insignificant substances when it comes to psychoactive effects.
The difference between magic mushrooms and psilocybin capsules
In theory, it shouldn't make much difference whether a person takes magic mushrooms or is given psilocybin capsules. Both psilocybin and the psychoactive substances from magic mushrooms are almost entirely converted into psilocin or a molecule that is very similar to it. However, there are many people who experience more "healing" when using the entire magic mushroom than with isolated psilocybin from a capsule. How come? Do the additional substances present in the mushroom play a role? Does it help mentally to use a natural product? Is the speed of absorption of psychoactive substances different? Or do the other substances present in the mushroom help a little bit by giving a slightly different experience?
We believe that all of the previously mentioned possibilities play a role in creating a better experience on mushrooms than psilocybin alone. Additionally, the various terpenes and other compounds in the mushrooms can contribute to the overall experience. These compounds can affect the way psilocin works, creating a unique and sometimes more holistic experience. This phenomenon is often referred to as the entourage effect, where the presence of different compounds works together to create a more complete and potentially more effective experience.
The Use of Whole Magic Mushrooms can thus provide a richer and more complex experience than isolated psilocybin capsules, not only because of the presence of additional psychoactive substances, but also because of the psychological and emotional context of using a natural product. All of this points to the need for further research into the various effects of these substances and how they can best be used for therapeutic purposes.
Legalizing mushroom therapy
We believe that magic mushrooms should be legalized so that we can more easily have psychedelic sessions with these natural treasures. Just like cannabis and other herbal medicines, we should not deprive humanity of these products out of fear and misinformation. Magic mushrooms are the least harmful drugs, but should be taken under the right circumstances.
Allowing mushrooms to treat mental illnesses would be nice, but allowing mushrooms for personal growth, physical health, and spiritual ceremonies would mainly benefit a lot of people.
While most research is focused on psilocybin, it would be nice to give the entire mushroom more credit. Let's get back to nature's roots and legalize mushrooms!
Mushroom therapy as a medical treatment
Psilocybin therapy has gained considerable attention in the scientific community in recent years, mainly due to its promising results in treating various mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There are several reasons why psilocybin therapy is more likely to be recognized as a medical treatment than therapies that involve the entire mushroom plant. Here are some of the reasons why psilocybin is more likely to be recognized as a medical device or medicine:
- Research: Psilocybin has been the subject of numerous clinical studies conducted by reputable institutions. These studies have shown that psilocybin can be effective in reducing symptoms of serious mental illness. The FDA has even accelerated some of these studies, indicating that there is growing acceptance of psilocybin as a potential medicine.
- Better dosing: Psilocybin can be administered in controlled doses, making it easier to ensure safety and effectiveness. Magic mushrooms contain a complex mixture of substances, the concentrations of which can vary from strain to strain and from flush to flush. Using psilocybin capsules in research provides more certainty and predictability, which is necessary in research.
- Medicine label: Current research and clinical trials are primarily focused on the therapeutic effects of psilocybin so that it can be used as a medicine. This makes it easier to follow a clear path to approval, as opposed to broader therapies that encompass the entire mushroom, which can lead to more variables and complications in research results. Mushrooms probably cannot be classified as a medicine, while psilocybin may be.
- Social Acceptance: There is a growing movement for the legalization and acceptance of psychedelics for medical therapeutic use. Psilocybin has less cultural stigma than the entire mushroom. Mushrooms are more quickly associated with drug abuse than. This may contribute to a faster acceptance of psilocybin than the mushrooms.
How do you recreate future mushroom sessions?
In the Netherlands, the use of magic mushrooms is still illegal. However, there is a legal way to experience the effects of magic mushroom therapy by using magic truffles. Magic truffles contain the same active substances as magic mushrooms, namely psilocybin, baeocystin, norbaeocystin and psilocin, but are legal in the Netherlands. This offers a unique opportunity for people who are interested in psychedelic therapy without the legal complications that come with magic mushrooms.
The therapy with these magic truffles can be performed as is done in research on psilocybin therapy. This includes a therapist who helps with preparation, the psychedelic session with truffles and the integration. During the session, therapeutic techniques, music and a part of introspection (with eye mask) are used.
Furthermore, this psychedelic therapy involves more than just the use of truffles. Our comprehensive approach also looks at the participant’s overall health and lifestyle. This may include nutritional and exercise advice, as well as neurotransmitter testing. This holistic perspective is essential for maximizing the benefits of the therapy and promoting long-term positive changes in the lives of participants.
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Psychologist & psychedelic therapist
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SPV & psychedelic therapist
Gijs has 20 years of experience in outpatient mental health care. He taught and supervised the MGZ-GGZ course at HAN (Arnhem Nijmegen University of Applied Sciences). Gijs has also developed extensively in mindfulness, talk therapy, neurofeedback, meditation, compassion training and ACT.
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Cécile is a certified Compassionate Inquiry facilitator, trained by Gabor Maté and his team. Furthermore, Cécile works with the MindBody health method to make your psychedelic session more effective. Cécile can facilitate psychedelic sessions in French, English and Spanish.