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rxneutrino t1_j5c7d60 wrote

Reply to comment by Thegarbagegamer97 in Scientists are beginning to unravel the effects of psilocybin mushrooms on bipolar disorder: Findings indicate that many people with bipolar disorder who consume psilocybin, the primary psychoactive component of psychedelic “magic mushrooms,” believe that the experience is helpful. by lolfuys

>For their study, the researchers used a blog post on the CREST.BD website and social media advertisements to recruit a sample of 541 individuals who were at least 18 years old, had a self-reported bipolar disorder diagnosis, and had used psilocybin to achieve “a full psychedelic trip.”

>On a five-point scale from “Not at all” to “Extremely harmful,” the participants rated the harmfulness of their psilocybin experience as 1.6 on average. In contrast, they rated the perceived helpfulness of their psilocybin experience as 4 on average.

>However, 32.2% of participants reported experiencing negative or unwanted outcomes during or in the 14 days after a psilocybin trip. New or increasing manic symptoms were the most common side effect. Eighteen people reported the use of emergency services during or in the 14 days after a psilocybin trip.

So on average, participants thought it was more helpful than harmful, but 1 in 3 had worsening symptoms? Definitely needs more scrutiny.

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Earthboom t1_j5c8ea0 wrote

I was definitely the 1 in 3 and it sucks. Felt great for about a week after the trip and then I became suicidal on week 2. Took myself into care and got the proper medication.

Shrooms have potential but there's quite a lot of work needed to rule out the kinks.

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Thegarbagegamer97 t1_j5c7v35 wrote

Defining helpful with a disorder like that is what im curious about. HOW does it improve it? Does it deal with the mania? The depression? Just a general improvement? So many questions to be had and so little info given.

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Kaylycat t1_j5dddjk wrote

Diagnosed bipolar since I was 8, I took a few shrooms w my ex and it literally lifted the fog of depression, the world wasn't so bleary and eh and I didn't SEE it that way either. Normally life doesnt seem so worth living, and i feel genuinely happy? Normal? I can only say that it did make me feel amazing, I had no side effects after coming off of it and i even had another dose a couple weeks later, felt the same exact way. I can DEFINITELY see this being a natural medicine if taken maybe once a week? And in moderation w a doctor helping you. It seems, by tthe study, that some people experienced the side effects of technically cold turkeying a medication, no different than ssris but maybe something that could be managed with a doctors watch.

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Holycrapwtfatheism t1_j5ewtbq wrote

Anecdotal and not bipolar but recently fell into a bit of a depressive funk. Tried 2g shrooms for the first time and it was like a brain reset. My mood calmed, the depressed feelings just left. Hopefully more legitimate studies can shed more light onto psilocybin and therapeutic uses.

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Thegarbagegamer97 t1_j5ddtz4 wrote

Only asking this out of curiosity, but when you say it made you feel amazing, are we talking the healthy and stable kind or the euphoric kind that mania can sometimes induce? The article talked about that being a possible adverse effect so would love the input

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turntabletennis t1_j5fhfxh wrote

The euphoria from mushrooms is far greater than I have ever experienced during any mania. It's not an "on top of the world" feeling, it's more of a physical body euphoria with absolute clarity of mind.

I find myself able to think unabated by my own opinions or spin. You are able to rationalize with yourself. Sometimes this rationality CAN lead to intense feelings of sadness, as you accept responsibility for your past actions, or accept flaws within yourself.

I am fairly sure that watching It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia while tripping on shrooms contributed heavily to me quitting drinking alcohol. The reason being that I recognized my own drunk behavior in their jokes. Like damn, I'm the joke. Then my brain rearranged. It's hard to explain, but you truly do THINK a different way with psilocybin.

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DrEpileptic t1_j5d7rfl wrote

Also, how does the tolerance work with it?

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OfLittleToNoValue t1_j5db628 wrote

Mushroom tolerance builds and wanes quickly.

Most people will feel something around 1g. 3gs is a solid trip.

Onset can be an hour or so and the effects can last about 6 hours.

Micro dosing is about .1g every 3-4 days. Using even such a small amount daily can still build tolerance that renders them far less effective.

There's growing research into everything from depression and autism and PTSD and more being helped by psilocybin.

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Fluid_Negotiation_76 t1_j5d3mjh wrote

Dosage is an important factor. I took way more than most people take and had a constructive trip. Looking back, that kind of risk seeking behavior and disregard for potential danger is a hallmark of a manic episode. I would recommend anyone with bipolar to avoid unnecessary risks, including drugs.

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Specialist_Carrot_48 t1_j5fgnc3 wrote

Self selection bias is also massive on this. Those who had a good experience are more likely to respond

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roberto1 t1_j5fd6r8 wrote

You know what feels great when your bipolar. Being manic! Do you know why induces manic behavior in people with underlying conditions. Psychedelics do! You are correct in that these people should not be self reporting. The data will not be accurate. As someone with bipolar I can describe some of my best times and have people around me explain why they were my worst...

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