Next-generation of mushroom-inspired treatments
Future psychedelic derivatives may help to keep in check allergy, headache, and addiction
Histamine sounds like a foe but, in most cases, is a friend. Just like psychedelics may sound dangerously addictive, in fact, are tested to be less addictive than nicotine and alcohol. What do histamine and psychedelic mushrooms have in common? There is an intriguing and promising connection.
Have you heard about antihistamines? Yes, the over-the-counter medications acting on different histamine receptors to combat allergy symptoms or acid reflux. But the importance of histamine modulation goes far beyond annoying seasonal allergies.
The proper level of histamine in the body and brain is essential. Histamine receptors in the nervous system are responsible for behavior, novelty-seeking, arousal, learning memory, and information consolidation. Histamine influences energy metabolism and endocrine control in the body. Histamine receptors act in the brain to regulate waking patterns, attention, motivation, appetite, and many neurophysiological functions. Histamine also acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter responsible for sexual arousal (libido). More histamine may indicate higher libido. Higher than average brain histamine levels seem to be protective against the onset of Parkinson’s disease.
Now, there is scientific evidence natural psychedelic mushroom-derived substance psilocybin is a histamine modulator. That is right; psilocybin is a mild antihistamine.
Psychedelic/psychoactive compounds (used in a medical context) are increasingly recognized to have enormous potential to revolutionize mental healthcare.
But what if there is an even bigger promise — a wider spectrum of disorders to be treated. Are there potential use of this new…
