Magic Mushrooms as psilocybin therapy

PsyPost via MSN.com, April  28, 2022; Pat Macpherson, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

People who hear about psilocybin-assisted therapy think it’s important to have a guide who has used psilocybin

People with depressive symptoms appear to think it is relatively important that guides [auditors, sitters, minders, undosed helpers] for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy have personally used the psychedelic substance themselves, according to a new study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs.

Psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy in a controlled setting, has shown promise in the treatment of various mental health issues, including [treatment-resistant clinical] depression.

One aspect of the therapy that has received relatively little attention is the use of "guides," trained professionals who facilitate the psychedelic experience.

It’s possible that having a guide who had previously used psilocybin could raise concerns among clients.

For example, a previous study found that researchers who admit to personally using psychedelic substances tend to be viewed as having less integrity. But it is also possible that clients would value having a guide who has also experienced what they’re experiencing during a psychedelic session.

Professor of Psychology Mitch Earleywine, from the University at Albany, told PsyPost he was partially inspired to conduct the new research based on his own personal experience:

The "magic" of nature is healing humans.

“It’s kind of a funny story, but I sent a client to the local ketamine clinic, which has a very friendly physician in charge. She asked if I thought he’d ever used ketamine, and I had to admit that I did not think so. She seemed a little disappointed. Then I heard that some of the psychedelic guides are encouraged to have a psychedelic experience before they ever sit for someone else.” More