Description
After decades of demonization and criminalization, psychedelics are experiencing a remarkable renaissance occurring at the intersection of science, culture and business. The most widely studied substance in this group is psilocybin, which is responsible for the psychoactive properties of mushrooms called "hallucinogenic" or "magic" mushrooms. The results of a growing number of experiments indicate that it may help not only in treating a range of mental disorders such as depression and addiction, but also in exploring the relationship between the brain and consciousness.
Maciej Lorenc presents the current state of knowledge about psilocybin's properties, and takes a look at its rich and complex history, which began well before efforts to criminalize it or attempts to integrate it into the Western biomedical system as a drug.
Readers will learn from this book, among other things:
- what is the effect of psilocybin on the functioning of the nervous system
- what mechanisms underlie the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and what risks are associated with their use
- What is known about the effects of microdosing on welfare
- What happened to Mesoamerican mushroom cults
- How psilocybin mushrooms have influenced Western culture
- who funded the psychedelic renaissance
- Where legal changes have been initiated for legal access to psychedelic therapy
