Mushroom Meditations: A Beginner's Guide

How to Meditate on Mushrooms

Introduction

The use of magic mushrooms for meditation has been a topic of interest for many years, with research showing that the chemical in magic mushrooms, psilocybin, combined with meditation can improve social functioning. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the clinical application of classic psychedelics in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders.

Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, alters the perception of those who take them. The boundaries between the self and the world begin to dissolve and feelings of bliss and unity are triggered. Such experiences of self-transcendence and reduced self-focus are similar to those brought about by mindfulness meditation. They can reduce stress, prompt feelings of enduring happiness and increase empathy and altruism.

A recent study from the University of Zurich found that combining meditation with psilocybin may impact brain function and alter self-consciousness even after the high is gone. The study found that experienced meditators in the psilocybin group reported better social functioning four months later.

The benefits of controlled psilocybin use and spiritual practice on people's well-being long outlast the high, researchers find. A new study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology delves into this space. The researchers from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine wanted to see how quantum change experiences induced with the help of psilocybin (the psychoactive substance in magic mushrooms) combined with regular spiritual practices (like meditation, journaling, awareness) resulted in the overall well-being of healthy volunteers over the course of six months.

The study showed generally large significant effects of psilocybin across a range of longitudinal measures including attitudes about life, attitudes about self, mood, altruism/positive social effects, behavior, and increased spirituality. The two high-dose groups attributed significantly greater personal meaning, spiritual significance, and change in well-being or life satisfaction to the psilocybin experience.

How to prepare for a meditation session with mushrooms

• Eat lightly: Avoid eating too much in the hours or day before your trip. This will ensure you are comfortable and not distracted by feelings of fullness or indigestion.
• Create a comfortable environment: Find a quiet, private space where you won't be disturbed. Make sure the room is clean, well-ventilated, and free from distractions like phones or loud noises. Consider adding elements that promote relaxation, such as soft lighting, comfortable seating, and pleasant scents.
• Prepare your mind: Aim to enter your meditation session with a healthy, relaxed mindset. Practices like meditation and yoga can help calm your body and mind, improve your focus on the present moment, and enhance your ability to control your thoughts and bodily functions. Regular meditation and yoga can also help you feel more in control during your trip and better able to steer it.
• Set an intention: Before your trip, set a specific intention for your meditation session, such as self-acceptance, creativity stimulation, or connection with nature. This intention can guide your meditation and help you get more out of your psychedelic experience.
• Use tools: Consider using tools like guided meditation videos, a Mindfold (a special blindfold that reduces distractions), or calming music to enhance your meditation practice.

The effects of meditation and mushrooms on the brain

Meditation and psychedelic mushrooms have been the subject of numerous studies in recent years, with researchers examining their individual and combined effects on the brain. Both practices have been found to have a positive impact on brain function, including enhanced social functioning, improved cognitive abilities, and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The Effects of Meditation on the Brain

Meditation has been shown to have a positive impact on brain function, with studies indicating that it can enhance cognitive abilities and improve overall brain health. Research suggests that meditation induces neuroplasticity, leading to reduced age-related brain degeneration and improved cognitive functions such as attention, working memory, spatial abilities, and long-term memory.

One particular type of meditation, Vipassana meditation (VM), has been the focus of recent studies. VM involves focusing on sensory awareness of the moment with a mental condition of calm and nonreactivity. Studies have found that VM practitioners exhibit increased brain connectivity, with functional MRI (fMRI) scans showing changes in brain activation patterns even when individuals are not actively meditating. These changes have been observed in the amygdala, a region of the brain involved in processing emotions and regulating fear and anxiety.

The Effects of Mushrooms on the Brain

Psychedelic mushrooms, specifically those containing psilocybin, have been found to have potential therapeutic benefits, particularly in the treatment of depression and anxiety. Psilocybin is the active ingredient in "magic mushrooms," and it alters the perception of those who consume it by dissolving the boundaries between the self and the world and triggering feelings of bliss and unity. This experience of self-transcendence and reduced self-focus is similar to that achieved through meditation.

Research has shown that psilocybin can rewire the brain, leading to enhanced emotional responses and encouraging individuals to actively confront their depression. fMRI scans of individuals who have ingested psilocybin show reduced blood flow and resting activity in the amygdala, which is often overactive in depression and anxiety. Additionally, psilocybin increases neuronal outgrowth and synapses, known as neuroplasticity, which may contribute to the formation of new circuits in the brain and the consolidation of positive pathways.

The Combined Effects of Meditation and Mushrooms on the Brain

Recent studies have explored the combined effects of meditation and psilocybin on the brain. In one study, experienced meditators who consumed psilocybin reported better social functioning and less self-consciousness compared to a control group. Additionally, their brain scans showed alterations in the default mode network, a group of brain regions linked to self-awareness and rumination. These findings suggest that the combination of meditation and psilocybin may synergistically enhance their positive effects, including improved social functioning and reduced self-focus, which are characteristic features of psychiatric disorders such as depression.

The benefits of combining meditation and mushrooms

Meditation and magic mushrooms may seem like an unlikely pair, but they have a lot in common. Both have been used for centuries to enter altered states of consciousness and are linked to spiritual practices and the cultivation of self-awareness. Combining the two can bring about positive changes in mental health and general well-being.

Enhancing Neuroplasticity

Meditation and mushrooms both impact the default mode network of the brain, which is the default state in which the mind rests and constitutes our sense of self. By disrupting typical thought patterns and enhancing neuroplasticity, they can reduce stress and anxiety, helping you to relax and gain a different perspective on life.

Reducing Self-Consciousness

The University of Zurich conducted a study where experienced meditators were given either a dose of psilocybin or a placebo during a silent group meditation retreat. The psilocybin group reported less self-consciousness and more illusions and hallucinations than the control group. Their brain scans also showed alterations in the functioning of the default mode network, which is linked to self-awareness and rumination.

Improving Social Functioning

Four months after the retreat, the psilocybin group reported better social functioning. They also showed more beneficial changes in psychosocial functioning, self-acceptance, and empathy. This is likely due to the intensity of the meditative experience induced by psilocybin.

Optimising Positive Effects

Meditation and magic mushrooms can work together to optimise each other's most positive effects. Meditation can enhance the therapeutic effects of magic mushrooms, and vice versa. A study from the University of Zurich showed that mindfulness meditation increased the positive effects of psilocybin, while reducing the negative effects sometimes associated with a psychedelic experience.

Enhancing Self-Transcendence

Psychedelics are often referred to as a shortcut to the 'enlightenment' that meditation is supposed to achieve. Combining the two can speed up and enhance feelings of self-transcendence, creating lasting changes to neural pathways in the brain. This can lead to increased self-acceptance, empathy, openness, and optimism.

A Few Words of Caution

While the combination of meditation and magic mushrooms can have beneficial effects, it is important to note that neither is a one-size-fits-all solution. The use of mind-altering drugs in people who are unprepared or have medical histories may do more harm than good. It is crucial to consult relevant medical authorities before using psilocybin or any other psychedelic therapy, especially if you have a mental illness.

The long-term effects of combining meditation and mushrooms

Meditation and psychedelics have a long and interesting relationship. In the 1960s, both were associated with the hippie movement. While psychedelics were made illegal and pushed underground, meditation slowly found its way into the mainstream. Today, meditation is offered in gyms and spas, and there are numerous apps that teach meditation.

Psychedelics are now back in the spotlight, this time for their therapeutic benefits. Study after study has verified their effectiveness in treating depression, PTSD, and increasing creativity and baseline happiness. It is thought that it won't be long until some of these substances, such as psilocybin, become legal and widely available.

The Benefits of Combining Meditation and Mushrooms

Meditation and psychedelics can be combined to optimise each other's most positive effects. Research has shown that mindfulness meditation can enhance the positive long-term effects of a single dose of psilocybin, which is found in certain mushrooms.

Psychedelics such as LSD or psilocybin, the active ingredient in "magic mushrooms," alter the perception of those who take them. The boundaries between the self and the world begin to dissolve and feelings of bliss and unity are triggered. Such experiences of self-transcendence and reduced self-focus are similar to those brought about by mindfulness meditation. They can reduce stress, prompt feelings of enduring happiness and increase empathy and altruism.

A recent study from the University of Zurich found that combining meditation with psilocybin may impact brain function and alter self-consciousness even after the high is gone. The study showed that experienced meditators in the psilocybin group reported better social functioning four months later.

A separate study from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that the benefits of controlled psilocybin use and spiritual practice on people's well-being long outlast the high. The researchers wanted to see how "quantum change experiences" induced with the help of psilocybin (the psychoactive substance in magic mushrooms) combined with regular spiritual practices (like meditation, journaling, awareness) resulted in the overall well-being of healthy volunteers over the course of six months. The most intriguing findings of the study were in contrast to prior psilocybin research with healthy volunteers, which didn’t show significant long-term effects. The present study showed generally large significant effects of psilocybin across a range of longitudinal measures including attitudes about life, attitudes about self, mood, altruism/positive social effects, behaviour, and increased spirituality.

Combining meditation and mushrooms can have long-term positive effects on well-being, social functioning, and increased spirituality.

The effects of combining meditation and mushrooms on depression

The combination of meditation and psilocybin mushrooms has been shown to have a positive effect on depression. Research has shown that the chemical in magic mushrooms combined with meditation can improve social functioning and enhance forgiveness, acceptance and gratitude.

A study from the University of Zurich found that mindfulness meditation can enhance the positive long-term effects of a single dose of psilocybin. The study also found that psilocybin-assisted meditators reported better social functioning four months later.

The combination of meditation and psilocybin mushrooms has been shown to have a positive effect on depression. The effects of the combination of meditation and psilocybin mushrooms include:

• Increased empathy
• Better self-acceptance
• Improved psychosocial functioning
• Enhanced forgiveness, acceptance and gratitude
• Reduced self-focus
• Reduced self-consciousness

Frequently asked questions