Since the first mushroom has been used not only for food but also drugs. Some people believe that the fungus efficacious in overcoming hypercholesterolemia, flu, prevent cancer and fight free radicals.
There are various types of fungi are known to have health giving properties. One fairly well-known drug is efficacious as a psilocybin mushroom or so-called "magic mushrooms". A recent study found that psilocybin mushrooms have the potential to help treat depression, and how it works similar to antidepressant drugs.
"We do not intend to suggest that eating this mushroom, but this treatment has effects that are very important for the brain. Because it can explain to us how the brain works" says Professor David Nutt, a researcher from Imperial College London neuropsikofarmakologi.
In his research, Nutt conduct research twice to see the influence of psilocybin consumption to decrease depression. The first research published on January 23 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Findings included 30 healthy volunteers given psilocybin fluid. Yeast extract was included in the body via the blood stream of volunteers while lying in the MRI scanner.
Results of analysis of MRI brain scans showed that a decline in activity levels in the "center" of the brain that links between consciousness, identity, and sensory information.
The second study conducted on January 25 and published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, which involved 10 volunteers. Here, participants were asked to write about their memories of the past. But first, researchers gave psilocybin to the participants. The results showed an increase in memory so that participants could recall their personal memories. Brain scans also showed a change in brain areas related to vision and sensory information.
The researchers said psilocybin might be an effective supplement to psychotherapy. "Psychedelics are considered able to 'broaden the mind' that has been widely assumed to have the ability to increase brain activity," said Nutt.
Even further Nutt, psilocybin also have contributed in slowing the flow of blood to the hypothalamus of the brain. During this time, it is known that increased blood flow to the hypothalamus can trigger a cluster headache (multilevel). Thus, this explanation may be the answer to why some of the volunteers felt better after eating magic mushrooms is.
'' This research can provide input to us to figure out how to treat depression. But I warned people not to attempt self-medication,'' Nutt told.
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