It is paramount to learn how magic mushrooms work and how the influence of shroom compounds on the brain before crossing the line of the psychedelic world. Learn more about psychedelic and brain chemistry right here.
Psychonauts describes using psychedelics as a discovery of one’s self and entering a new world. It is incredible how a biological compound offers a powerfully transformative experience. However, have you wondered how psychedelics influence the brain? What happens to the brain at a molecular and chemical level when one consumes this compound?
Psychedelics, A Short Background
Magic mushroom, generally known as shroom, is the best example of a psychedelic source. Shrooms contain psilocybin – a psychoactive and hallucinogenic chemical with similar properties to LSDs; click to read more on shrooms and psilocybin. The health sector recognizes psilocybin as the most common and well-known psychedelic substance.
How do psilocybin and other psychedelic substances affect the brain? The answer all comes down to the chemical composition of psychedelics.
Influence of Psychedelics on the Brain
There are many ways psychedelics can affect the brain. First, this biological compound may forge, create, and alter neural paths. Regenerating neural links and neurons may improve one’s cognitive abilities, enhance mood and stop addiction. It supports easier withdrawal from opiate addiction.
Psychedelic is likewise a well-known psychiatric medication. It is capable of regulating the emotions of patients with psychological disorders. Medical professionals and experts primarily utilize psychedelic as a psychiatric medication due to its ability to enhance emotional release and sensitivity.
Aside from regenerating neural paths, psychedelic affects the neurotransmitters and receptors in the brain. Psilocybin, a chemical messenger, is known as a serotonergic psychedelic. It activates the serotonin receptors in the cerebral cortex. Firing up these receptors causes profound impact and higher-order functions. It heightens awareness, mood and stimulates all the senses, which results in a transformative experience. Additionally, the long-term use of psilocybin significantly increases serotonin levels, which eventually consequences improved optimism.
Psilocybin also suppresses the brain’s Default Mode Network (DNM) -a common characteristic of psychedelics. DNM is a system connected to the regions of the brain with functions related to introspective activities such as daydreaming. Studies show that a high level of DNM activities is associated with depression and anxiety. It is also the reason behind an individual’s high sense of ego.
Psychedelics, like psilocybin, it inhibits DNM overactivity. It regulates the activities of sensory inputs, thereby controlling perceptions, vision, and movement. Psychedelics, therefore, supports the cultivation of higher self-awareness by opening the consciousness to a different world.
Using psychedelics helps in the process of generating neurons, otherwise known as neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. These processes take place in the hippocampus of the brain. According to studies, low neurogenesis and neuroplasticity activities could lead to poor memory, slower cognition, frequent mood changes, poor sleep, and overall productivity.
Inasmuch, psilocybin and other psychedelic compounds influence brain functions and processes. It stimulates the brain, which leads to higher-order functions and easement of psychiatric disorders. Therefore, using psilocybin may help people suffering from psychological problems, opiate withdrawal, and poor physical performance.