Study: Psilocybin “Magic” Mushrooms Can Ease Fears And Traumatic Memories

A new study using mice suggests that psilocybin, the active ingredient in hallucinogenic, or ‘magic’ mushrooms may help erase frightening memories and encourage new brain cells. Mice were given an electric shock, then a very low dose of psiolcybin, and they lost their fearful response to a sound associated with the electric shock more quickly than mice who didn’t receive psilcoybin.

“They stopped freezing; they lost their fear,” said one of the study’s authors, Dr. Juan Sanchez-Ramos. It’s believed that psilocybin could one day be used to treat post traumatic stress disorder.

Past studies have shown that psilocybin can induce mystical experiences, improve mood, attitude, and behavior, and potentially alter your personality for the better. But another study shows that psilocybin decreases brain activity. Sanchez-Ramos have wondered about the role of psilocybin in short-term memor…