Shrooms and PTSD: Hallucinogen Psilocybin May Help Treat Anxiety Disorder

A new study shows that though marijuana may be the drug of choice for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, small doses of an hallucinogenic drug has been found to lower fear and stress responses in mice.

"They lose their fear," reported Dr. Juan Sanchez-Ramos, the co-author of this controversial study, who suggests that shrooms may actually help aid veterans who fear loud noises associated with war trauma and loud noises.

In fact, the study showed that mice that were given an electric shock followed by a low dose of the hallucinogen psilocybin, lost their fearful response to a sound associated with the painful electric shock much more quickly than those that didn't receive the drug at all.

Past studies of those who had received the drug raise questions regarding the drugs use and if it could be used to possibly treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

These studies have found that psilocybin, the active component that creates "magic mushrooms," could induce mystical experiences that elevate mood, behavior and attitude that also temporarily and even permanently alter personality for the better. However, background information regarding the study also notes that psilocybin can decrease brain activity and can also harm spinal cord fluid.

However, to test their hypothesis that this drug could one day be used to treat those with PTSD, the researchers played an auditory tone and gave the mice a painful shock. The mice soon associated the tone with the shock and would freeze when they heard it. However, some of the mice that received a low dose of psilocybin began to move around normally after hearing the sound as if it was not there.

Though researches note that further studies need to be completed, they hope that this could provide some interesting insights into future treatments for PTSD and other disorders.

More information regarding the study can be found in the journal Experimental Brain Research.