Psychedelic mushroom use linked to lower psychological distress in those with adverse childhood experiences
…researchers have uncovered a potentially promising connection between the use of psychedelic mushrooms and a reduction in psychological distress, particularly among individuals who have experienced adverse childhood experiences. The study was published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs.
…study aimed to explore the relationship between psilocybin use and psychological distress, with a specific focus on individuals who had experienced adverse childhood experiences. ACEs, such as abuse, neglect, and exposure to violence, can have long-lasting negative effects on mental health. “In recent years, we’ve seen the re-birth of psychedelic medicine and we did this study because we were particularly interested whether psilocybin, which is widely accessible, had potential benefits for people with adverse childhood experiences,” said study author Kiffer G. Card, an assistant professor of health sciences at Simon Fraser University. Participants who had used psilocybin in the past three months reported lower levels of psychological distress compared to those who had not used it during this period. This suggests that recent psilocybin use may be associated with a reduction in psychological distress. Interestingly, the study found that the effect of psilocybin on reducing psychological distress was particularly pronounced among individuals who had experienced higher levels of adverse childhood experiences. In other words, psilocybin seemed to have a more significant impact on reducing distress in those with a history of childhood adversity. The study also showed that a significant proportion of participants had used psilocybin in their lifetime and expressed positive opinions about its benefits and safety. Many reported using it to address mental health and emotional challenges, indicating its potential as a self-help tool.
Original Article (Psypost):
Psychedelic mushroom use linked to lower psychological distress in those with adverse childhood experiences
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