Governments block research on using magic mushrooms to treat depression

Wednesday, April 10, 2013 by: Lance Johnson
Tags: psilocybin, magic mushrooms, censored research

(NaturalNews) "Magic" mushrooms grow naturally throughout the world. The psilocybin within magic mushrooms was used in ancient times for religious ceremonies and recreation. Today though, governments are frightening the population and are banning not only naturally-occurring mushrooms, but also the right to research their effect on human depression.

Psilocybin tests banned by the UK

Breakthrough research on the psilocybin within the magic mushroom has been stalled in the United Kingdom. The tests center around the mushroom's ability to treat depression. Modern pharmaceutical anti-depressants are failing to treat people effectively. Research on a naturally-occurring mushroom could solve many problems, including cost, and more importantly, saving countless people from unwanted side effects. Still though, regulations are restricting the research of this naturally-occurring treatment.

President of the British Neuroscience Association, David Nutt, says he has been cleared on an ethical basis to fund tests on magic mushrooms, but the British government is blocking him from moving forward. David was awarded $844,000 from the UK's Medical Research Council to conduct a full clinical trial in patients.

"We live in a world of insanity in terms of regulating drugs," he told a neuroscience conference in London.

He has previously conducted small experiments on healthy volunteers and found that the psychedelic ingredient psilocybin has the ability to alleviate severe forms of depression in people who don't respond to other treatments.

Pharmaceutical anti-depressants possess severe side effects

The amount of money Americans spend on prescribed anti-depressants annually has reached approximately ten billion dollars. The side effects of these medications are well known and include the following:

• Nausea
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Decreased sex drive
• Dizziness
• Weight gain
• Tremors
• Sweating
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Headaches

The list of side effects poses the question: are these medications worth it, especially when naturally-occurring alternatives exist? Side effects like anxiety, insomnia, and tremors are counterproductive in treating people, destroying their insides. Why would governments block research on natural remedies? Aren't natural remedies the reason the human race has survived up until this modern era?

Rising anti-depressant use: Good or bad?

On the other hand, many psychiatrists believe all the diagnoses are good news, a sign that Americans are finally comfortable asking for help with their psychiatric problems. Is it really good news that people are getting diagnosed and treated with anti-depressants at an alarming rate? Why are so many people so depressed?

"Depression is a major public health issue," said Dr. Kelly Posner, an assistant professor at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. "The fact that people are getting the treatments they need is encouraging."

But are these medications really dealing with the problems at hand? Are the side effects worth it, or are they more damaging to the nervous system in the end?

Dr. Robert Goodman believes the real force behind increasing antidepressant prescription rates is the continuous pharmaceutical marketing to doctors and consumers. "You put those two together and you get a lot of prescriptions for anti-depressants," he said. "It's hard to believe that this many people are depressed, or that anti-depressants are the answer."

Maybe all that the human race needs for surviving, thriving, and being happy is found growing straight from the Earth.

Sadly though, it's very hard to understand the benefits of natural remedies like mushrooms, when governments are busy blocking research on them.

Currently, the FDA silences supplement companies from making claims about how their nutritional or herbal products heal people. This leads to a society intoxicated on pharmaceutical television ads, not comprehending the personal testimonies of those who have cured their disease naturally without drugs. Thanks to government laws that back drug company propaganda, close-mindedness to natural remedies does exist.

Nutritional deficiencies may be at the heart of depression

The silencing cannot stop the growing awareness, though. Each day the truth about pharmaceutical drugs is becoming known. There are better ways to treat depression. There are ways to deal with the root causes of poor health.

• Vitamin B-12 is important in the production of chemicals that regulate brain function.
• Studies show that Vitamin D helps prevent depression, especially seasonal affect disorder.
• Magnesium, iron and potassium work together to treat depression. Magnesium promotes healthy nerve impulses to the brain.

Even as governments block research on alternative natural treatments, there is an ever growing awareness to what the Earth has to offer, whether it is "magic" mushrooms or minerals like magnesium and iron. The truth cannot be silenced.

Sources for this article include:

http://news.msn.com

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/medications_depression.htm#effects

http://www.npr.org

http://www.irishexaminer.com