Summary: A new study reveals that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, may help treat body dysmorphic disorder ( BDD ) by altering brain connectivity. People with BDD demonstrated significant symptoms improvement following a second dose of psilocybin, with brain scans showing increased neural freedom.
Though primary, the research suggests that mushroom may offer new promise for BDD sufferers. It needs to be tested more rigorously to demonstrate its effectiveness.
Important Information:
- Psilocybin strengthens the brain’s connections to self-perception and feeling.
- One year after receiving one dose, BDD individuals showed characteristic improvement.
- These observations need to be validated by more research.
Origin: Genomic Press
Body dysmorphic disorder ( BDD ) is a crippling mental illness that is characterized by obsessive preoccupation with physical appearance-related perceived flaws. People with BDD frequently exhibit twisted self-image, hostile views, and habitual behaviors, which drastically affect normal functioning and quality of life.
Recent therapies have limited effectiveness, leaving some sufferers without relief.
A new study led by Columbia University researchers and published in the journal Psychedelics offers hope by showing how the energetic ingredient in “magic mushrooms”– the trippy drug psilocybin– may alter brain circuitry connectivity, probably assisting in the treatment of this crippling disorder.
Eight adults with moderate-to-severe BDD that had not responded to conventional treatments were given a second 25mg oral dosage of mushroom in a friendly environment in the captain trial.
Using cutting-edge practical MRI systems, the researchers scanned the participants ‘ brains one day before and one day after the mushroom program. Finally, sophisticated routine analysis techniques were used to map changes in brain network connectivity and connect them to later therapeutic outcomes.
The outcomes were alarming: Just one day after receiving mushroom, the patients showed increased communication both within a network governing administrative functions and between this network and those whose work handles sensitive feelings and self-referential considering.
Importantly, one week later, those who showed the greatest conditioning of these neuronal connections also saw the most improvement in their BDD symptoms.
Although primary, the findings are in line with a growing body of research showing that psychedelic substances like mushroom can promote emotional health by increasing the mind’s capacity for flexibility and integration.
Psilocybin does help rebuild more dynamic cognitive and emotional functioning by facilitating communication between and within brain networks that are frequently dysregulated in medical disorders.
As the first research of mushroom in a BDD people, the prosecution was small and lacked a sham control. The experts issue a warning that more extensive, placebo-controlled studies are required to assess the effectiveness and viability of the treatment. However, the strong brain-behavior relationships that were discovered are promising for the development of psilocybin therapy going forward.
About this analysis finding on body dysmorphia and psychiatry.
Author: Ma-Li Wong
Source: Genomic Press
Contact: Ma-Li Wong – Genomic Press
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: The results will appear in Stimulants
