Hallucinogenic mushrooms

Psilocybin, the active compound of the hallucinogenic mushrooms, has therapeutic effects on people with depression, and researchers believe this is because the substance arouses emotional sensitivity in the brain, the opposite of anti-depressant action, which inhibits this response.

"Psilocybin therapy can reduce depression by increasing emotional connectivity," said Leor Roseman of Imperial College London, one of the researchers who participated in this study.

Researchers examined 20 patients diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression to investigate what effects psilocybin might have on brain activity and depression symptoms, writes Science Alert.

A previous study by the same group of researchers showed that psilocybin "resets" brain circuits to depressed people, and patients reported improvement in the condition even after five weeks of treatment.

In the new study, scientists wanted to see what effect psilocybin has on the amygdala, the region in the brain that helps to process the emotional reaction, including fear.

Following studies, which included MRI analyzes before and after psilocybin administration, researchers noticed that the substance increased brain activity in the amygdala.

Participants also reported a relief of the symptoms of depression. The result is interesting, as anti-depressants work oppositely, namely inhibiting the activity of the amygdala. This idea extends to the emotions felt by patients. If the approach to depression was to avoid negative states, now the general perspective of the participants in the study was to accept them. "I felt a sense of acceptance; a greater acceptance of agony, boredom and loneliness, "one of the patients commented. "A willingness to try to accept the negative times - but also the appreciation of the wonderful moments".

source:descopera.ro