What to do when we take mushrooms? I mean this question very practically. What do I do with my body? Have you thought about that?
Let’s bring awareness to this most practical question.
The first time I took mushrooms was in Vondel Park in Amsterdam with a bunch of friends. We threw a rugby ball around, listened to one of our friends play music, and giggled and took in nature.
And that was the trend for some time.
Take mushrooms at a music festival, dance, connect with friends, giggle, and take in music. But there is so much more here. When you start really going internally. If you’ve wondered how to go deeper? If you wondered how to set up your environment? If you’ve wondered what games to play? Then this article is for you.
Gratitude & Brain Science
Gratitude improves interpersonal relationships at home and work (Gordon, Impett, Kogan, Oveis, & Keltner, 2012).
Neural mechanisms that are responsible for feelings of gratitude (Wood et al., 2008).
Studies have demonstrated that at the brain level, moral judgments involving feelings of gratefulness are evoked in the right anterior temporal cortex (Zahn et al., 2009).
People who express and feel gratitude have a higher volume of gray matter in the right inferior temporal gyrus (Zahn et al., 2014).
Both of these areas in bold are part of the cerebral cortex. Imagine the cerebral cortex as a vast library where the books aren't made of paper, but of neurons and synapses. Each nook and cranny of this cerebral library stores the stories of your life—your memories, your dreams, your hopes, and your fears.
I know I’m going deep here but stick with me.
Cerebral Cortex: Right Anterior Temporal Cortex (ATC):
Imagine the Right Anterior Temporal Cortex as the "Moral Archive Wing" of our cerebral cortex library. This section houses a collection of ancient tomes filled with stories of moral dilemmas, social norms, and ethical considerations. Within these volumes, the cerebral scribes record the decisions and judgments we make.
Moral Judgments Scrolls: This region serves as the reading room for moral judgments, where cerebral scholars ponder over situations. It's the place where the librarians of our mind evaluate scenarios or navigate moral terrain. The books here resonate with the echoes of ethical reasoning.
Cerebral Cortex: Right Inferior Temporal Gyrus (ITG):
Imagine the Right Inferior Temporal Gyrus as the "Visual and Semantic Archives" within our brain library. This is where the library's art gallery meets its language repository, offering a rich sensory experience.
Visual Gallery: The ITG acts as the gallery curator, orchestrating the exhibition of visual wonders. It meticulously catalogs the appearances of faces, objects, and scenes in our memory's gallery. The shelves here are adorned with volumes containing intricate details of our visual experiences.
Semantic Library: Adjacent to the gallery, the Semantic Library is a treasure trove of knowledge about words, concepts, and their profound meanings. It houses encyclopedic volumes of information on our linguistic landscape.
Emotion and Memory Chronicles: Deep within the ITG, you'll find the "Emotion and Memory Chronicles" section. Here, amidst the shelves of emotions, memories, and experiences, lies a unique collection. These books are the heart of our emotional journey, where the pages tell tales of emotional resonance and the art of memory retrieval. They bridge the connection between our feelings and the memories we cherish.
Let’s put this all together. Expressing gratitude triggers our brain to release dopamine and serotonin, the mood-lifting chemicals. It's like an instant happiness boost. 🧠🌟 Source
In our vast library of neurons and synapses (Cerebral Cortex), gratitude holds several powerful upgrades, affecting both mind and body.
Emotional Harmony: When we embrace gratitude, it's like activating a special section in our brain's emotional archives. The hippocampus and amygdala, the brain's emotional maestros, come to life. This was evident in a study where individuals penning gratitude letters during counseling showed quicker recovery and improved mental health. Conversely, those dwelling on negativity reported anxiety and depression.
Pain Relief: Gratitude has an intriguing effect on physical well-being. In a study called "Counting Blessings vs Burdens," patients who maintained gratitude journals reported reduced pain by 16%. This magic is partly thanks to dopamine, a natural painkiller our brains release in response to gratitude.
Soothing Sleep: Gratitude's influence extends to our sleep sanctuary, the hypothalamus. This brain region regulates essential bodily functions, including sleep. When we cultivate gratitude, our hypothalamus functions optimally, promoting deeper, more refreshing sleep. Imagine it as a lullaby for the mind.
Stress Buster: Gratitude is a stress-beater. Studies reveal that grateful individuals exhibit lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone. Their hearts dance to a happier tune, making them resilient to emotional turmoil. By practicing gratitude, we rewire our brains to handle stress with poise.
Anxiety and Depression Aid: Gratitude has a chemical charm. It enhances neural modulation in the prefrontal cortex, the brain's emotion manager. This, in turn, tames negative emotions like guilt and shame. Consequently, gratitude practitioners tend to be more positive and empathetic. In our emotional library, it's like turning the pages from despair to hope.
Mushroom Gratitude Inception
Now, when you consume certain mushrooms, like magic mushrooms, they contain a special ingredient called psilocybin. Psilocybin is like a key that can unlock a particular door in that mood and emotions section of your brain library. Behind this door, there's a group of receptors called 5-HT2A receptors, and these receptors love to interact with serotonin.
When you eat magic mushrooms, the psilocybin in them gets converted into another chemical called psilocin in your body. Psilocin is like a messenger that rushes over to those 5-HT2A receptors and starts chatting with them. This chat causes a bit of a commotion in the library.
The result? Your mood and emotions section goes a little haywire. It's as if someone rearranged the books on the shelves, and suddenly, you're experiencing things in a completely different way. Colors might become more vibrant, and your thoughts might take unexpected turns. Some even report having profound spiritual or mystical experiences.
This interaction with serotonin and the 5-HT2A receptors is why consuming magic mushrooms can lead to these unique and sometimes intense experiences. It's like a different kind of story unfolding in your brain library for a little while. But, remember, these effects are temporary and wear off as the psilocin is metabolized by your body.
So, in a nutshell, magic mushrooms interact with serotonin receptors in your brain, creating a temporary shift in your perception and feelings, often resulting in unique and sometimes profound experiences.
Conclusion – Practice Gratitude
When your journey begins, take out a journal and just start writing things you are grateful for. Express your gratitude in real creative expression. Paint one thing you're grateful for. Take your paintbrush out and see what comes.
Our exploration into gratitude and the fascinating world of mushrooms has revealed an intriguing connection—a journey within our very selves.
Think of gratitude as the key to unlocking the doors of your emotional library, where stories of well-being, resilience, and joy are stored. It's like finding hidden treasures in the nooks of your mind.
Now, add mushrooms to the mix, and you're embarking on a guided tour of your brain's inner sanctum. Psilocin, the messenger, rearranges the shelves of your library, offering a different perspective, vibrant and unexpected. It's akin to discovering a new chapter in the book of your life.
So, while enjoying the park, music, or cosmic connections with friends, don't overlook the most profound adventure of all—exploring your inner world. With gratitude and mushrooms, you invite magic and light into the depths of your being, creating a unique tapestry of experiences and self-discovery.