Exploring the Brain’s Psychedelic Pathway: How Psilocybin Mirrors Serotonin

There is an intriguing correlation between these two chemical compounds mentioned in the
title. To give a brief overview, psilocybin is found naturally in certain types of mushrooms and
serotonin is produced by our bodies and acts as a hormone and neurotransmitter. Regarding
their chemical and structural frames, one may curiously suggest an innate similarity between
humans and mushrooms or their respective intelligence. This post is going to explore how
psilocybin interacts with serotonin and its effects on our mood, mental health and perception
of the world around us.

How It Works

Psilocybin occurs naturally in hundreds of species of mushrooms. Psilocybin containing
mushrooms have been used as a spiritual catalyst in indigenous cultures for thousands of
years. The murals at Selva Pascuala, a post-paleolithic cave in South-Eastern Spain depict
images of neurotropic mushrooms. In recent times these neurotropic fungi have gained due
credibility for their therapeutic potential in mental health healing.

Serving our mood, cognition, sleep and overall brain function, serotonin plays an important
role in the body. Low serotonin levels are associated with mood disorders, such as
depression and anxiety. A healthy regulation of serotonin is important for the maintenance of
our overall health and well-being.

An image of the chemical structure of these two compounds clearly shows how closely they
resemble each other, chemically and structurally. Due to this resemblance, psilocybin, which
is metabolised to psilocin, acts to mimic serotonin and binds to the serotonin 5-HT2A
receptor. Psilocybin acts as a serotonin receptor agonist, in a way that leads to altered
perception and cognition.

Its Relation to Our Body

It is said that everything psychological is also physiological, the absolute accuracy of this
statement is to be debated – however there is no doubt that in a variety of ways they can be
closely related. Depending on the particular lens with which we view the world, our
experience changes, both subtly and substantially; our perceptions of the world around us
can be enormously different – different from others but also different from ourselves of a
previous moment. This is where the therapeutic effects of psychoactive mushrooms are
recognised. During a magic mushroom ceremony, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for
our moods and cognition, is imitated by something innate within the mushroom, this is the
medicine that unlocks a new lens through which we may see the world. We connect with
nature’s intelligence, the experience conveys the wisdom of an entire different realm.
Psychedelics have the potential to open doors to see through the endless chaos of our
thoughts, emotions, memories, traumas and complexes. The mechanics of the neural mass
in our heads works to filter and decode information so that we may function as and with a
corporeal system; the prime motive being survival. What psilocybin does is blocks these
filters so that more information can directly become present to awareness. This particular
mode of seeing, when our perceptual filters are ‘out of order’ and our brains have free reign
to interpret the available information – provides space for a fresh and freeing view. During a
ceremony, we have a new found ability to perceive beyond our neuroses.

“If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite.
For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro’ narrow chinks of his cavern.”
– William Blake.

In exploring the intricate relationship between psilocybin and serotonin, I personally have
been able to further understand the mechanics of altered states of consciousness, the
implications of their power and purity as a medicine for the mind, and the opportunity to
integrate the lessons from a psychedelic ceremony into daily life. Understanding this
biochemical link can shed light on the profound therapeutic effects of psychedelics and their
ability to transform our perception of reality, opening new pathways for healing and
self-discovery, offering hope for those struggling with mood disorders and deep rooted
traumas. As research into psychedelics continues to expand, we are approaching a new era
in medicine and personal growth – one where cleansing the doors of perception opens new
possibilities for personal freedom and creative expression.

For more information on attending a mushroom retreat in Mexico reach out to Life Synergy team and we will be happy to connect with you.