Would you try them?

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"Spiritual" effects of mushrooms last a year?

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science EditorWed Jul 2, 12:23 PM ET

The "spiritual" effects of psilocybin from so-called sacred mushrooms last for more than a year and may offer a way to help patients with fatal diseases or addictions, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday.

The researchers also said their findings show there are safe ways to test psychoactive drugs on willing volunteers, if guidelines are followed.

In 2006, Roland Griffiths of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and colleagues gave psilocybin to 36 volunteers and asked them how it felt. Most reported having a "mystical" or "spiritual" experience and rated it positively.

More than a year later, most still said the experience increased their sense of well-being or life satisfaction, Griffiths and colleagues report in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.

"This is a truly remarkable finding," Griffiths said in a statement. "Rarely in psychological research do we see such persistently positive reports from a single event in the laboratory."

The findings may offer a way to help treat extremely anxious and depressed patients, or people with addictions, said Griffiths, whose work was funded by the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse.

"This gives credence to the claims that the mystical-type experiences some people have during hallucinogen sessions may help patients suffering from cancer-related anxiety or depression and may serve as a potential treatment for drug dependence," Griffiths said.

WIDELY OUTLAWED

While psilocybin is widely outlawed, many U.S. states and some countries overlook its use by indigenous people in religious ceremonies.

Supervision of its use is key, the researchers noted.

"While some of our subjects reported strong fear or anxiety for a portion of their day-long psilocybin sessions, none reported any lingering harmful effects, and we didn't observe any clinical evidence of harm," Griffiths said.

Hallucinogens should not be given to people at risk for psychosis or certain other serious mental disorders, the researchers said.

But Griffiths stressed that even those who reported fear said a year later they had no permanent negative effects.

Of the volunteers who took the one-day test of psilocybin, 22 of the 36 had a "complete" mystical experience, based on a detailed questionnaire.

Griffiths said 21 continued to rate highly on this standardized scale 14 months later.

"Even at the 14-month follow-up, 58 percent of 36 volunteers rated the experience on the psilocybin session as among the five most personally meaningful experiences of their lives and 67 percent rated it among the five most spiritually significant experiences of their lives," the researchers said.

The report included some comments from the volunteers.

"Surrender is intensely powerful. To 'let go' and become enveloped in the beauty of -- in this case music -- was enormously spiritual," one volunteer said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080702/od_nm/mushrooms_odd_dc&printer=1;_ylt=ApsVPycZhHNJD2Z358UiOA4Z.3QA

good stuff

Not true. I have had many experiences with psycilosybin mushrooms. All great experiences, The only major setback is the next day when you're face hurts from laughing sooo much. Mushrooms are a great high. Peyote on the other hand is another story. Good high but getting there is something else. Peyote tastes terrible and you will inevitably vomit (some say you don't get off until you vomit).

I should continue by saying I no longer am involved in drug use, I have found my calling to be that of Christianity and have "found" myself through The love of God and Jesus Christ. So if you want to cut to the chase don't mess with drugs, go to church.

I am glad you are no longer involved in drug use. Personally I don't advocate any kind of drugs even for spiritual enlightenment.

Love of life and respect for myself and others is the path I have decided is best. I don't believe it is necessary to get wrapped up in the trappings of any religion or church.

JB

http://www.magicmushroom.com.au/ganoderma/ganoderma-lucidum/benefits-of-ganoderma-lucidum.html

Ganoderma lucidum is the scientific name for a species of red mushroom that has been cultivated on plantations and grown wild in Asia for thousands of years. Ganoderma contains more than 200 active elements that are known to improve health. Here are a few that modern science is currently focusing on:

Polysaccharides
• Strengthen the body’s immune system
• Balance blood sugar level and improves pancreatic functions
• Protect against degeneration of skin cells and eliminates dead surface cells which improves skin texture and reduces the appearance of aging
• Controls destruction of healthy cells throughout the body
• Eliminates accumulated toxins

Organic Germanium
• Increases oxygen in the blood system
• Reduces fatigue and increases vitality
• Strengthens the immune system
• Increases the metabolism
• Contains an abundance of anti-oxidants that control or inhibit damaging free radicals. Free radicals are a major cause of cell degeneration, cancer and aging.
• Assists our body’s natural ability to fight cancer cells

Adenosine
• Reduces cholesterol and body fat
• Helps to unclog arteries plugged with fatty deposits, and supports liver function
• Balances the metabolic rate and boosts energy
• Prevents fragmentation of platelets which can cause blockages in the circulatory system

Triterpenoid
• Fortifies and improves the digestive system
• Inhibits allergies, relieves sinus congestion, and helps with respiratory problems
• Reduces cholesterol and fat

Ganoderic Essence
• Rejuvenates the body’s tissues and cells
• Boosts all the body’s functions
• Helps to maintain youthfulness and contributes to improved vitality
• Overcomes skin disorders and beautifies the skin
• Is effective for relieving external problems such as scrapes, skin wounds, psoriasis, bug bites, stings, sunburn, mouth ulcers, and external bleeding.

Research has demonstrated that Ganoderma Lucidum has several different active constituents. One group of active constituents is the polysaccharides. The various types of polysaccharides found in Ganoderma Lucidum have demonstrated immune-enhancing properties. This includes enhancement of several important interleukins. Another major class of compounds is the triterpenes. These compounds have been reported to have adaptogenic, anti-hypertensive, and anti-allergy effects.

Cardiovascular Benefits
Ganoderma Lucidum has been shown in some studies to inhibit platelet aggregation and reduce blood pressure. In studies of people with hypertension, researchers found blood pressure was significantly reduced over two-weeks' time with reishi supplementation.

Immune Benefits
Ganoderma Lucidum is commonly prescribed by practitioners for long-term immune system support. In studies involving patients with advanced tumors, the patients were given Ganoderma Lucidum for thirty days. Researchers found a marked immune-modulating effect as demonstrated by an increase in T lymphocytes and decreased CD8 counts. Patients also reported reduced side effects due to chemotherapy or radiation as well as postoperation recovery.

Blood Sugar Balance
Studies have shown Ganoderma Lucidum to have a blood sugar lowering effect. Much of this activity appears to be due to polysaccharides known as Ganoderans A, B, and C.

It appears there are three main mechanisms behind this hypoglycemic effect. This includes Ganoderma Lucidum's ability to elevate plasma insulin levels, to enhance peripheral tissue utilization of glucose, and to enhance liver metabolism of glucose.

Anti-inflammatory Effects
Studies have shown that hot-water extracts of Ganoderma Lucidum have anti-inflammatory effects. One study found that 50 milligrams of reishi powder had comparable effects to 5 milligrams of hydrocortisone.

Liver Protector
Ganoderma Lucidum is commonly used for its hepatoprotective (liver protective) action. One study of patients with hepatitis B and elevated liver enzymes (SGOT/SGPT) and bilirubin were given reishi for three months. Significant reduction in SGOT and SGPT were noticed within one month. After three months all values were within normal range.

Oxygenation
One of the unique uses of Ganoderma Lucidum is for altitude sickness. Reishi appears to reduce altitude sickness by oxygenating the blood. This benefit was studied in Asian mountain climbers that ascended mountains as high as 17,000 feet with minimal reaction.

Now you can enjoy the benefits of healthy coffee that has been enriched with ganoderma lucidum. For thousands of years, Ganoderma Lucidum has been highly regarded by the Chinese as the "Miraculous King of Herbs." Finally you, too, can benefit from the miracle of ganoderma. You do not have to take pills, supplements, or potions every day to receive important nutrients. You don’t have to make extreme lifestyle changes to improve your health.

Thanks for the information Rainbow.

You are welcome, Jeannie. I have been researching chloresterol medication alternatives. I am also researching spiritual well-being.

I would love to hear more about what you have learned. Can you point me in the direction of your findings?

Thanks

JB

http://www.brassica.com/sci/phytochem.htm

I am especially interested in these physterols. I thought it was interesting that one of the fuel alternatives for vehicles which is corn oil, a physterol, is also good for the human heart. As an exhuffer I can guarantee that gasoline is not good for the human body but these physterols seem interesting. Some of the latest good medicines are coming from mushrooms.

Wellllllllll being an ex everything user....I can honestly say I have never...ever seen God or anything good.lol A few meth monsters, cops, and the such but...anything spiritual? Nope.

Kat

Okay...A lot of cops.