Magic mushrooms may bring up memories of a very different chapter of life (especially if you’ve been to a music festival, or dove into a deep, Zen conversation for a little too long, or communed with nature in a way that can only be described as magical).
Or maybe psychedelics generally exist as a cultural reference point for you, something you’ve heard about but never touched. Either way, the idea of psychedelics and medical treatment living in the same sentence may feel impossible and frankly, bonkers.
There are many folks who would agree with you (even if they do enjoy psychedelics), but over the last 20 years, researchers have started to look at psychedelics with a sober, highly structured, therapeutic perspective. Instead of asking whether psychedelics can expand your mind in general, scientists are asking whether they might help people manage specific illnesses and mental health conditions, like substance use disorder (SUD).
Research conducted in 2014 focused on quitting smoking with psilocybin, which made the scientific world even more interested in what else it could help people quit. While a psilocybin-based approach may not belong in every recovery plan, Waypoint Recovery Center’s care teams in North Charleston and Cameron, SC, can help you explore emerging research and talk through options that feel right for you.
Let’s explore what psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy usually involves, what researchers currently understand about how it works, and where it fits into recovery.
What Is Psilocybin and What Does It Do?
Psilocybin itself isn’t a type of mushroom; it’s naturally present in certain mushrooms that native communities in Mexico and Central America have used ceremonially for thousands of years. Today in the U.S., you may hear it called mushrooms, shrooms, or magic mushrooms.
Psilocybin falls under the psychedelic category (like certain club drugs, LSD, peyote, PCP, and ketamine) and interacts with your brain’s serotonin. It typically enters the body in a concentrated dose through fresh or dried mushrooms, sometimes brewed into tea to soften the taste. Some people, however, may experiment with microdosing, where they take small amounts on a repeated schedule (but professionals aren’t sure yet if this is effective for treating mental health disorders).
Once someone consumes psilocybin, the body converts it into psilocin, whereafter you’ll often notice psychoactive effects. Your experience of these effects can vary widely, and no two people necessarily respond in the same way.
Many people report changes such as:
- Vivid, powerful, or ‘unlocked’ emotions
- Modified perception that can include hallucinations, visual imagery, or an altered sense of time.
- A unique sensation of being outside of typical negative thought systems or self-criticism.
Interest in psilocybin has grown so much within the recovery community during the past couple of decades, partly due to the research that suggests it could help people loosen rigid patterns around cravings in recovery, fear, anxiety, or self-identity. The FDA has even granted breakthrough therapy designation for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in certain situations (like when someone is dealing with major clinical depression).
But it’s important to note that professionals generally stress the need for preparation and guided medical support while using the substance because:
- Experiences can be unpredictable, causing anxiety, intense panic, or even sustained distress in people who use them, especially without trained support.
- Psilocybin may worsen symptoms of certain psychiatric conditions.
- Psilocybin that isn’t provided by a medical professional can be contaminated with other substances or chemicals.
There are also legal factors to consider when we talk about using psilocybin for mental health purposes, since it’s still classified as a Schedule I substance (illegal nationwide). However, some states and cities have decriminalized psilocybin, while others actively explore its therapeutic benefits.
How Is Psilocybin Used Therapeutically for SUD and Other Conditions?
First things first: psilocybin is rarely a first-line-of-defense for SUD or a stand-alone intervention tool for comorbid situations. A therapist would most likely pair the substance with psychotherapy, prepare you before use, and talk through your experiences afterward. Afterall, the goal would be to help you notice thoughts, emotions, and cravings more flexibly and over time, since the brain prefers to instill a habit or new perspective little by little.
When it comes to SUD, we can study the research related to alcohol use disorder (AUD). One study found that receiving psychotherapy and psilocybin led to fewer heavy drinking days than just psychotherapy. Psilocybin research has also explored anxiety, existential distress, and depression, particularly in people facing serious medical illness. Some studies even showed that psilocybin relieved their symptoms for weeks when combined with additional psychological support.
But overall, the research points less toward sure-fire cures and more toward potential supplements.
Does Waypoint Recovery Center in South Carolina Offer Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy?
Waypoint Recovery Center doesn’t currently offer psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, but South Carolina is conducting research into how psychedelic-assisted approaches may support conditions that often overlap with SUD, particularly PTSD. For example, one South Carolinian medical university saw how therapies like psychedelic-assisted treatment helped certain people process trauma more effectively.
While psychedelic-assisted therapies show promise, nothing is set in stone yet. Still, Waypoint can help you engage in evidence-based outpatient care and individual therapy right now.
