Experiences & Revelations in Mental Health

Over the years, people have opened up more and more about their personal experiences with psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy. What used to be considered a taboo and controversial subject, has now found a spotlight in mainstream media and is opening doors for all types of personal revelations.

TV shows like The Goop Lab and Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia explore the psychological effects of psilocybin and other entheogens firsthand, sharing personal experiences and first-hand accounts. In many cases, people report coming to terms with psychological trauma, healing from past distress, feeling spiritually connected to the world, and ultimately having a deeply profound experience.

Many people who try psilocybin mushrooms for the first time experience breathtaking visuals, bright colorful lights, and a blending of senses. It is also very common for people to lose sense of time as well as experience perceptual shifts not necessarily grounded in objective reality.

During more intense trips, users report an ego death, in which there is a complete loss of one’s self-identity. It is during this stage that some people are able to have some of their most profound revelations and truly begin to reflect on their life, giving way to immense self-exploration, discovery and growth. According to researchers, these experiences have a powerful and positive effect on mental health, suggesting that some may have a better outlook on life when they experience a complete dissolution and reconstitution of the self. These events are often then the focus of integration therapy after the subject returns to baseline and is readily able to distill potentially life-changing information or perspectives that apply to their journey.

It is because of people who candidly share their ordeals and epiphanies that psilocybin mushrooms continue to be studied for their therapeutic benefits. The stigmatization surrounding psychoactive fungi has halted decades of research that has only recently been rekindled. With increased awareness, we can expect to see even more promising psychedelic research conclusions following the breakthroughs already made and the mounting evidence provided in this emerging field.