Hippies Were Right: Mushrooms CAN Be Good For You

The Wall Street Journal* reports today that researchers at Johns Hopkins found that volunteers who ate certain types of mushroom generally underwent "positive changes in attitude and behavior" -- changes that lasted for at least two months.

Participants cited feelings of intense joy, "distance from ordinary reality," and feelings of peace and harmony after taking the drug. Two-thirds described the effects of the drug, called psilocybin, as among the five most meaningful experiences of their lives.

According to this article, one-third of the subjects -- selected for their interest in spirituality -- rated the experience the "the single most spiritually significant experience of his or her life. ... Most said they became better, kinder, happier people in the weeks after the psilocybin session -- a fact corroborated by family and friends."

But 30% of the 36 participants experienced "significant" fear, anxiety, and / or paranoia.

The study was intended to look into therapeutic uses for psilocybin. Research into hallucinogens is legal, but not often pursued. Researchers hope the work will lead to new therapies for depression and addiction.

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