Chances are that if you’re somebody who suffers from anxiety, you’ve come across some of the groundbreaking studies that conclude that mushrooms might be an effective form of treatment.
Anxiety can be an incredibly debilitating condition, and many of us would prefer to use a natural means of treating this illness, rather than opting for other types of treatments.
It’s also true that mushrooms are known for causing hallucinations, and producing a myriad of strange sensations. So, isn’t this therefore counterintuitive for anxiety, and more likely to aggravate the condition?
If you’ve found yourself asking these questions, then don’t worry, you’re not alone. Below, we’re going to be taking a closer look at everything there is to know about taking mushrooms for anxiety.
To find out more, simply keep reading below, as we take a deep dive into the subject.
What Are Medicinal Mushrooms?
Now, why don’t we just jump straight into the topic at hand, and begin our discussion of medicinal mushrooms. Your first question in regards to the subject is probably, what are they?
Well medical mushrooms are gradually becoming more and more popular, and are being recognized within the healthcare industry as being beneficial as a therapeutic tool.
Many medicinal mushrooms are actually adaptogens, which are known for helping your body to adapt to certain stressors in a more efficient way.
As well as all of this, mushrooms are also known at aiding gut health, and supporting digestion in the human body.
When we have a healthy gut, this also makes us less likely to develop psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression.
How Are Mushrooms Taken For Anxiety?
Now that we’ve covered how mushrooms may provide benefits for those who are suffering from anxiety, we can move on to discuss how they are taken.
As we mentioned before, some of you reading this article may be wondering how mushrooms can help with anxiety, when they cause symptoms such as hallucinations?
Well, the answer is micro dosing. Those who are prescribed medical mushrooms will not take such a large amount as to cause any of the hallucinogenic symptoms associated with this drug.
Instead, they will take small, concentrated doses throughout the day, which will not be enough to cause any changes in your perception.
The mushroom supplements can be taken in a number of different ways, and are usually formed to look like a capsule. They sometimes come in a powdered form too.
Most of the time, the supplements are mixed with other natural ingredients, such as tea, in order to counteract the naturally bitter taste displayed by the mushrooms.
What Are Some Of The Benefits Associated With Mushrooms?
Now that we’ve taken a closer look at the dosages, as well as how the mushrooms are ingested, we can move on to discuss some of their benefits.
Many of you will have heard of the immense benefits that mushrooms provide in terms of anxiety and mental health (see also: Mushroom Health Benefits For Fertility – What You Need To Know)conditions in general, but what exactly are the specific benefits associated with these?
Well, this is what we’re going to be discussing below.
A study conducted into the mental health benefits associated with mushroom consumption found they improved the patients moods.
As well as this, the mushrooms also helped to increase energy levels, which were markedly lower before taking the capsules.
In addition to this, the mushrooms also helped to boost creativity and inspiration, as well as helping to increase concentration and focus.
Some of you might be wondering just how effective magic mushrooms are in treating anxiety.
A study conducted in 2019, showed that many people found mushrooms far more effective at treating their anxiety than other forms of medication they’d received from their doctors.
As well as this, they also found that it was effective for those who were suffering from ADHD, as it helped to improve focus and concentration.
Something to note however, is that the patients said that micro dosing wasn’t as effective as taking what’s considered a ‘full dosage’ of mushrooms, which would cause the hallucinogenic symptoms.
A further study that was conducted in 2021, found that patients had significantly reduced levels of anxiety and depression after taking micro doses of mushrooms, which seems to prove that they are an effective way of treating these conditions.
Which States Are Medicinal Mushrooms Prescribed?
Those wanting to test out mushrooms for their anxiety might struggle to get a prescription, as of now, they’re still only legal in one state. In 2023, Oregon became the first state to approve the use of medicinal mushrooms.
Despite the fact that medicinal mushrooms are now considered to be legal in this state, the rules and regulations surrounding prescription are incredibly narrow.
You cannot get a prescription for medicinal mushrooms unless you are somebody who is suffering from PTSD, end of life anxiety, and several other severe conditions.
The use of medicinal mushrooms is still very much in the early stages when it comes to prescriptions.
Are There Any Side Effects To Medicinal Mushrooms?
Some of you reading this list might be wondering whether or not there are any side effects associated with taking medicinal mushrooms.
In general, they are not known for causing any harmful side effects for patients. They can, however, cause some mild symptoms in some patients.
Some of the most frequently reported side effects include nausea, dizziness, pupil dilation, and changes in sleeping routine.
Experts have stated that mushrooms are considered to be one of the least toxic drugs in circulation, and are one of the safest anxiety medications you can take.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, medicinal mushrooms have been shown to help patients suffering from anxiety. As of now, it is still only legal in Oregon.
When patients are prescribed medicinal mushrooms, they are instructed to take them in micro doses which come in the form of capsules traditionally.
Micro doses mean that they won’t suffer the hallucinogenic symptoms associated with mushrooms, because the concentration is significantly lower than a full dose.
Several studies have shown that the use of medicinal mushrooms is beneficial for patients suffering from anxiety and depression.
Other studies have shown that patients who have taken larger, or ‘full’ doses of mushrooms, said that this concentration was far more adept at treating their anxiety.
We hope that you found this article helpful, and that it answered some of your questions regarding the subject.
I'm Clare, the owner and operator of Off The Couch, where I serve as a qualified Nutrition & Health Coach.
Based in Dublin, Ireland, I offer coaching services both locally and globally, providing personalized strategies in nutrition, stress management, sleep quality, and fitness.
My journey into this field began as I navigated my own chronic illnesses, including early menopause, Interstitial Cystitis, Lyme Disease, and hydrocephalus.
