Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in certain mushrooms, has garnered considerable attention as a potential therapeutic tool. Historically used in spiritual practices, psilocybin is now being used therapeutically to treat mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. But can it be an effective treatment for addiction?

Psilocybin’s Use in Mental Health Treatment

Clinical trials have been done touting the benefits of therapeutic psilocybin for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD when traditional therapies have failed. For people with severe depression, psilocybin-assisted therapy may help break negative thought patterns, offering a new way to cope with emotional distress.

Potential Benefits for People Suffering from Mental Illness

When used in a therapeutic setting, psilocybin may benefit patients with mental health challenges. When combined with therapy and counseling, the potential benefits increase.

Risks and Side Effects of Psilocybin

Like everything, psilocybin is not without risks. It can cause feelings of anxiety, panic attacks, or even feelings of disassociation.

For patients with mental health conditions like schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder, dissociation may be extremely disturbing.

Even in a controlled environment, some individuals may experience difficult or distressing “bad trips,” which can have lasting emotional repercussions. Because psilocybin therapy can cause adverse side effects, it is typically conducted under a doctor’s supervision.

Psilocybin for Addiction: Promising But Not Proven

Recently, psilocybin has been proposed as a potential treatment for addiction, with some claiming it can help break the cycle of substance abuse. However, there isn’t much medical data to back up the claim that it’s an effective treatment. Yes. Some patients have found it to be a helpful tool in the treatment of addiction. However, the science supporting it as a treatment is not yet there.

Remember, the use of psilocybin as a treatment for addiction is new. There’s a lot of enthusiasm for it, but we don’t know yet if the risks outweigh the benefits.

The Risk of Misuse

One significant concern with using psilocybin in addiction recovery is the potential for misuse. Psilocybin is not considered physically addictive; it can induce feelings of euphoria that some recovering addicts might find appealing.

Those of us struggling with the disease of addiction know that any substance that feels good and changes our mood can be dangerous. If we try it in a therapeutic setting and enjoy it, our addictive thinking may return. We may try other avenues to acquire it and begin to abuse it. Psilocybin is not physically addictive, but every addict knows that any drug can become psychologically addictive – and therefore dangerous.

Let’s be honest. People have been using mushrooms to trip for years. Maybe they weren’t micro dosing, but many addicts have abused psychedelics.

Should Psilocybin Be Used for Addiction?

The jury is still out on whether psilocybin is an effective treatment for addiction. While some studies show promise, and there is excitement about its potential, the lack of comprehensive clinical data and the risks associated with its use mean that psilocybin is not yet a proven treatment.

As individuals in recovery, we should exercise caution before beginning psilocybin treatment. Before embarking on the journey, we should speak with our sponsors and have frank conversations with our doctors about our past history of addiction.

For those of us who struggle with addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions, we should be aware of the potential risks that come with psilocybin treatment.

If we’re prone to severe anxiety or disassociation, this treatment is probably not suitable for us. In the end, we must always weigh the risks over the benefits of any medication and guard our sobriety. Losing it can mean losing everything, and most of us have already done that!

If You’re Struggling with Addiction, Call Breakthrough Recovery Outreach

Breakthrough Recovery Outreach offers help for people struggling with addiction and alcoholism. We provide programs for adults and teens, virtual counseling services, and more. If you or a loved one are struggling and looking for a new way of life, contact us today!