Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, might just revolutionize how depression and anxiety are treated in cancer patients. In a groundbreaking trial, a single dose combined with therapy significantly reduced emotional suffering, and these effects often lasted over two years. As follow-up studies expand the research to multiple doses and larger samples, scientists are eyeing a possible new standard of care that merges psychedelics with psychological support.
Everybody is different, and it depends on what you’re after. Research different substances of interest, how they work, contraindications, best practices for use, and the kind of effects they have. From there, select any specific substance you want to try, and do so responsibly.
There’s lots of folks out there who have done mushrooms or other psychedelics as their first non-alcohol psychoactive experience. The trick is getting at least some understanding of what you’re getting into first and preparing accordingly. I also wouldn’t compare different compounds with different effects/mechanisms of action in a way that would make you disappointed/underwhelmed/whatever. They’re different and should be evaluated on their own terms.
That’s just me though.