Psilocybin

A Prayer of Thanks

We extend our deepest gratitude to the Indigenous wisdom keepers of these sacred plant medicines. We acknowledge and honor their profound connection to these healing traditions, which have been preserved and passed down through generations. It is with the deepest respect and humility that we continue to learn from their teachings and stewardship.

Ancient Origins

Sacred medicinal mushrooms have been used for thousands of years, treating both spiritual and physical ailments. The earliest evidence of human magic mushroom use traces back to approximately 10,000 BCE. Paintings and sculptures from ancient Mesoamerican cultures provide compelling evidence that psilocybin mushrooms played a significant role in Aztec and Mayan societies, with roots stretching back to around 1,500 BCE. These depictions offer insights into the ceremonial and spiritual use of magic mushrooms within these civilizations, highlighting their importance in religious rituals and cultural practices (Carod-Artal, 2015). Psychedelic mushrooms continue to be utilized by indigenous groups in Mexico to this day. In Mexico, the use of magic mushrooms is legal if it is conducted as part of a religious sacrament. These mushrooms hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for various indigenous communities, including the Nahuatls, Matlazincs, Totonacs, Mazatecs, Mixes, Zapotecs, and Chatins, where they are integral to religious rituals, healing practices, and spiritual ceremonies.

Maria Sabina

American ethnomycologist Gordon Wasson is renowned as one of the first Westerners to encounter indigenous magic mushroom use. In 1955, Wasson traveled to Oaxaca, Mexico, where he met Maria Sabina, a Mazatec sabia (wise woman) and experienced a velada, a sacred healing mushroom ceremony. While this encounter proved to be highly influential for the introduction of mushrooms to the West, Wasson’s later decision to share the name and location of Maria Sabina greatly impacted the Mazatec community, bringing unwanted visitors and intervention from the Mexican police. Maria Sabina became ostracized by her community, her house was burned down, her son was murdered, and she was briefly jailed Pollan, Michael (2018). Sabina later regretted having introduced Wasson to the practice Letcher, Andy (2006).

The Medicine

Psilocybin mushrooms encompass over 200 species of fungi containing the psychoactive compound psilocybin. They can be consumed raw, brewed into tea, or dried and powdered with a moderate dose weighing around 1.5-3g of dried medicine. Ingesting psilocybin mushrooms induces a profound entheogenic state, often used for healing and spiritual growth that typically lasts several hours. When used responsibly, it has the potential to aid in trauma recovery, facilitate spiritual insights, and provide clarity on personal matters.

Psilocybin, a classic tryptamine hallucinogen, has similar properties to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and mescaline with a slightly different chemical structure (National Library of Medicine). Psilocybin is physiologically safe, with no confirmed deaths from psilocybin toxicity. Psilocybin carries lower potential for drug interaction and tends to be physically safe even at very high doses, allowing persons taking SSRIs or SNRIs greater chances at success. While physiologically safe, individuals may experience increased heart rate, blood pressure, nausea, dizziness, pupil dilation, perspiration, headache, and temporary anxiety and fear.

The Effects of Psilocybin

The effects of psilocybin can begin 20 to 60 minutes after ingestion and last for 4 to 6 hours. Psilocybin induces an altered state of consciousness, often leading to visual and auditory hallucinations, changes in perception, and reflective experiences. Memories and emotions may surface more intensely than usual.
You may experience an increase in energy levels and mental clarity.

With an expanded sense of empathy and compassion, you may be able to process difficult emotions with more patience and wisdom. Your relationships, habits, memory, and vocabulary may improve. Your nervous system and hormones may feel more balanced. Psilocybin can connect you with your innate embodied intelligence and free you from rigid thought patterns and limiting beliefs.

Each experience is deeply personal and can vary significantly between individuals and sessions, honoring the uniqueness of each participant. Due to its profound impact, psilocybin should not be recommended lightly. The decision to use psilocybin is highly personal and should be made without external pressure. Its effects on individuals can be unpredictable, bringing profound changes to some people’s lives.

Psilocybin is generally well-tolerated, with the most common side effects being transient anxiety, mild increases in heart rate and blood pressure, nausea, headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, weakness, and tremor (National Library of Health).

Considerations & Risks

Psilocybin is not a panacea. When used responsibly, it can catalyze therapeutic processes and enhance self-awareness. However, misuse can exacerbate existing issues or create new ones. It’s crucial to approach psilocybin with respect and responsibility, understanding its potential impact.

Although psilocybin is generally safe and many people experience benefits from its use, it may not be the right fit for everyone. Psilocybin is not a substitute for psychotherapy or medical care and should not be used as such. We invite participants tp make an informed decision based on a clear understanding of potential effects, risks, benefits, and contraindications.

It’s important to be aware that psilocybin can have powerful side effects, including dizziness, nausea, and in some cases, anxiety or paranoia. It can also worsen pre-existing mental health conditions. There have been rare cases of psychotic episodes being triggered, particularly in individuals with a history of mental illness. Proper screening and preparation are crucial to minimize these risks.

The Healing Benefits of Psilocybin

While many individuals have reported significant benefits from psilocybin use, such as relief from depression, anxiety, and trauma, it’s important to note that these benefits are not automatic. Ongoing integration with a specialist is crucial to maintain these benefits over time. This commitment to responsible use and integration is key to making the most of the potential benefits of psilocybin.

Research from esteemed institutions like Johns Hopkins University, Imperial College London, NYU, and others, supports the long-standing anecdotal evidence of psilocybin’s potential. It can significantly improve emotional well-being, reduce alcohol and nicotine dependency, and alleviate conditions such as depression, anxiety, cluster headaches, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anorexia, offering a ray of hope for those struggling with these conditions.

Psilocybin has the ability to:

Generate more present-level awareness
Improve our mood, disposition, and outlook on life
Delicately balance the effects of depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders
Create a sense of deep connection within ourselves, others, and the planet
Increase in creativity, problem solving, and ability to think outside of the box
Deeper sense of self-compassion and understanding of trauma imprints

Additionally, it can increase the rate of neurogenesis (the creation of new neurons), allowing the brain to heal and boost neuroplasticity, which makes the mind more flexible and facilitates the formation of new mindsets and habits. It can also increase creative thinking, empathy, and well-being levels, evoke a childlike sense of awe, and strengthen one’s connection with nature and others.

At Ananda Lodge we stand behind a duty to provide a space and a level of care that is attuned, empathetic, and rooted in the knowledge of trauma’s neurobiology. We believe this level of presence and care is essential for our guests to realize the full healing benefits of the medicine. Our somatic trauma-informed philosophy guides everything we do.