If you were considered one of the thousands and thousands of people that watched HBO's TV series The Last of U, you're probably very aware of the danger that fungus can pose to our health.
The series is ready in a post-apocalyptic world where a parasitic fungus takes over the human brain and turns people into murderous zombies. The scariest a part of this premise is that it's not entirely implausible. Parasitic or “zombie” fungus that mutates. The mind and behavior of their hosts are present
Fortunately, the real-life zombie fungus (often called) only infects insects. The fungus hijacks its own body for the only real purpose of dispersing the fungal spores as its spores. When the spores are eaten by insects, they germinate and grow, secreting molecules that travel to the host's brain and interfere with its function.
The fungus causes insects to hate heights and climb up. Once in one of the best position for fungal survival, the fungus induces a “death grip” after which eats its host from the within, growing spore-containing mushrooms from the insect's corpse.
The fungus that changes our minds.
In the case of humans, some fungi that produce small molecules, or Metabolites, which change our minds – and up to date research suggests they’ve therapeutic potential. The most famous hallucinogen is psilocybin – the lively ingredient in magic mushrooms. LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide, is one other psychedelic with fungal origins.
Humans have known concerning the hallucinogenic properties of fungi for hundreds of years. The Aztecs even gave magic mushrooms to those that were dying to advertise a peaceful transition into the afterlife.
But recently, there was a wind An explosion of interest in fungal metabolites, particularly resulting from their Neurological benefits and the power to treat mental health conditions. And this is just not surprising, given the mechanism that fungal metabolites use to interact with our nervous system.
Think of our brain as a map. When we’re young, we explore all corners of this map, sending connections in all directions to make sense of our surroundings. Long ago, we determine basic truths – like preserve food, or where we live – and the neural pathways that underpin those connections.
Over time, a network emerges that reflects our unique experiences. In areas we regularly revisit, established routes will evolve, while in-use connections will disappear.
Conditions corresponding to addiction, chronic depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are characterised by processes corresponding to Repeated negative thinking or Rumors, where patients deal with negative thoughts in a counterproductive manner. Unfortunately, this Strengthen brain connections which maintains an unfavorable way of thinking.
But fungal metabolites are thought to offer our brains the liberty to rediscover less-visited areas. Psychedelic “trips” are thought to permit people to Experience a world without the boundaries of reality. – and up to date research suggests that it is a manifestation of recent brain research.
For example, psilocybin prompts a receptor within the brain called 5-HT2a. This receptor normally binds to serotonin, a chemical in our body that controls communication between certain nerve cells. But when psilocybin binds to the 5-HT2a receptor, it It makes it easier for our brain. To change and create recent connections (including resulting in high doses of hallucinations). We call it augmentation. neuroplasticity.
Although the results of a giant dose of psychedelics are temporary, evidence suggests that two small doses of psilocybin given three weeks apart. Increased communication between different functional areas of the brain. Neuroplasticity has the potential for such changes Disrupt rigid thought patterns that affect certain mental health conditions.
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Additionally, by increasing neuroplasticity, psychedelics are thought to permit people to See life situations from a new perspective. Combining psychedelics with more traditional talking therapy could make it possible to explore – and more fully understand – the underlying triggers of negative thought patterns. This can potentially prevent the identical negative cycle from re-establishing itself after treatment. In fact, research shows that combining therapy with psilocybin a Prolonged anti-depressant effect In adults with major depressive disorder.
Additional studies exhibit the positive effect of fungal metabolites within the treatment of a. Limitation of Terms – Including anxiety, depression and alcoholism. These studies also suggest that psilocybin can affect symptoms after only one or two doses — while antidepressants can take months to work.
No miracle cure.
That said, psychedelics shouldn't be considered a miracle cure because there's still rather a lot we don't know. Furthermore, most studies on psychedelics are still preliminary because they use a limited variety of participants. As, Experts are divided. On the efficacy of psychedelic treatments. Furthermore, psychedelics are powerful and unpredictable – and the security and long-term effects of such treatments are unknown.
But taking a look at the present Mental health crisisAny intervention that provides a brand new method to cope with these conditions – especially those which are immune to treatment – ​​must be fastidiously considered and rigorously researched.
Interestingly, many countries Recognize the benefits Psychiatrists for mental health treatment. Australian government too Legal prescription psilocybin for medicinal use in 2022. Although the UK doesn’t yet allow the prescription of psychedelics, Several research centers Trials are being conducted to determine Mental health benefits of fungal metabolites.
Although we still don't know much about fungal metabolites — including whether there are other molecules which have similar effects on neural function — it's clear that they’ve great potential in treating mental health. Perhaps it's time we shed a number of the negative connotations we have now of illegal fungal drugs, and ease into pondering of mind-altering psychedelics as medicine.