Schedule

The “Mush”Room The Mind Room

11:20 - 12:00 - Yoga 12:05 - 12:10 - Opening remarks 12:20 - 1:00 - Mushroom Growing 12:10 - 12:55 - Marc Blainey Workshop 1:05 - 1:50 - Anderson Todd 1:10 - 1:50 - Mushroom Growing 2:00 - 2:45 - Andrew Camargo Workshop 2:45 - 3:30 - Break 2:00 - 2:45 - Andy Letcher 3:40 - 4:25 - Teri Krebs 2:45 - 3:30 - Break 4:30 - 5:20 - John Vervaeke 3:35 - 4:00 - Dianne Solano 5:25 - 6:25 - Kenneth Tupper MAPPING THE MIND 4:30 - 6:00 - Room Closed 6:05 - 7:00 - Documentary (A New Understanding) WITH MUSHROOMS

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AN OVERVIEW OF PSILOCYBIN 1 22 15 Griffiths, R.R.2007.Psychopharmacology of Psilocybin in Cancer Patients(ClinicalTri- als.govIdentifierNCT00465595).Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Clinical- ‘Magic’ mushrooms have played an interesting role in human history. Trials.gov(online Available From URL: 〈http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/ From their use as a sacrament in ancient Mesoamerica, to the CIA’s attempt to NCT00465595?term=Psilocybin&rank=5〉 use psilocybin as a mind control agent under project MK-ULTRA, there is much 16 Ray, T.S., 2010. Psychedelics and the human receptorome. PLoS One 5 (2), e9019. mystery and mythos surrounding psilocybin containing mushrooms As with any mythos, there is a great deal of misrepresentation involved. The implications of 17 Vollenweider, F.X., Vollenweider-Scherpenhuyzen, M.F., Babler, A., et al., 1998. Psilocy- such misrepresentation (some of which admittedly stem from our best attempts to bin induces schizophrenia-like psychosis in Vollenweider, F.X., Vollenweider-Scherpen- huyzen, M.F., Babler, A., et al., 1998. articulate the ) are now reflected in the strict government restrictions on accessing what might more accurately be called a plant teacher than 18 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeepDream a drug. The purpose of this guide is to clarify what exactly psilocybin is, why it is 19 Carhart-Harris, R. L., & Friston, K. J. (2010). The default-mode, ego-functions and interesting, and what it might be useful for. free-energy: A neurobiological account of Freudian ideas. Brain, 133(4), 1265-1283. doi:10.1093/brain/awq010

20 Carhart-Harris, R. L., Erritzoe, D., Williams, T., Stone, J. M., Reed, L. J., Colasanti, A., About The 920 Movement Nutt, D. J. (2012). Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(6), 2138- 2143. doi:10.1073/pnas.1119598109

The 920 Coalition is a network of non-profit organizations and like minded 21 Huxley, A., & Huxley, A. (1963). ; and, Heaven and hell. New York: Harper & Row. individuals. We organize events around the world each year on 9/20 (September 20th), focused on the role that psilocybin mushrooms play in our society and health 22 Kometer, M., Schmidt, A., Jancke, L. ,et al., 2013. Activation of serotonin 2A receptors care system, and how they might be used in the future. This movement is made underlies the pslocybin-induced effects on alpha oscillations, N170 visual-evoked potentials, and visual hallucinations. J.Neurosci.33(25),10544–10551. possible by the so called “psychedelic renaissance” that is currently ongoing, with more research being published on psychedelic compounds since the “war on drugs” 23 Muthukumaraswamy, S. D., Carhart-Harris, R. L., Moran, R. J., et al., 2013. Broad- began in the 60s. band cortical desychronization underlies the human psychedelic state. J.Neuros- ci.33(38),15171–15183.

2015 was our first year and we had more than 30 wonderful events in Canada, 24 Riba, J., Anderer, P., Jane, F., et al., 2004. Effects of the South American psychoactive Mexico, Netherlands, UK, Australia, and the United States. beverage ayahuasca on regional brain electrical activity in humans: a functional neuro- imaging study using low-resolution electroencephalography

25 Carhart-Harris, R. L., Leech, R., Williams, T. M. ,et al., 2012b. Implications for psy- chedelic-asisted psychotherapy: functional magnetic resonance imaging study with psilocybin. Br. J. Psychiatry 200(3),238–244 Author of overview: Daniel Greig 26 Kraehenmann, R., Preller, K. H., Scheidegger, M., Pokorny, T., Bosch, O. G., Seifritz, E., Background of Cover Art: Zachary Nathanial & Vollenweider, F. X. (2015). Psilocybin-Induced Decrease in Amygdala Reactivity Cor- McCrae https://zmcrae.przm.com/ relates with Enhanced Positive Mood in Healthy Volunteers. Biological Psychiatry, 78(8), Notice: Many of the experiment results and statis- 572-581. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.04.010

tics are direct quotes from their source Krebs, T. S., & Johansen, P. (2013). Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study. Year : 2016 PLoS ONE, 8(8). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0063972 21 Resources Table of Contents

1 Tylš, F., Páleníček, T., & Horáček, J. (2014). Psilocybin – Summary of knowledge and new perspectives. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 24(3), 342-356. doi:10.1016/j. euroneuro.2013.12.006 What is Psilocybin? ...... 3

2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tryptamine Psychological Effects ...... 4 3 https://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/15171770/fpart/all/vc/1 4 Fadiman, J. (2011). The psychedelic explorer’s guide: Safe, therapeutic, and sacred Cognitive Effects ...... 5 journeys. Rochester, VT: Park Street Press.

5 Strassman, R.J.,1984.Adverse reactions to psychedelic drugs. A review of the litera- ture. J.Nerv.Ment.Dis.172(10),577–595. Possible Negative Experiences ..... 7

6Johnson, M.,Richards, W., Griffiths, R., 2008. Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. J.Psychopharmacol.22(6), 603–620. Addiction ...... 8

7 Roth, B. L. Berry, S. A.,Kroeze,W .K.,et al., 1998. Serotonin 5-HT2A receptors: molecu- larbiology and mechanisms of regulation. Crit.Rev.Neurobiol.12(4), 319–338. Safety ...... 9 8Fantegrossi, W. E.,Woods ,J. H.,Winger, G., 2004.Transient reinforcing effects of phenylisopropylamineandindolealkylamine hallucinogensinrhesusmonkeys. Behav. Pharmacol.15(2), 149–157. Brain Activity Signatures ...... 11

9 Nichols, D. E.,2004. Hallucinogens.Pharmacol. Ther.101(2), 131–181. The Short Version ...... 15 10 Cerletti, A.,1958.Etudepharmacologiquedelapsilocybine.In: Heim, R.,Was- son,R.G.(Eds.),1sted.Editionsdu Museum National d’HistorieNaturalle1958,1965–66, Paris,pp.268–271. EEG ...... 16 11 https://www.erowid.org/plants/mushrooms

12 Metzner, R., 2005. Sacred Mushroom of Visions: Teonanácatl: A Sourcebook on the fMRI ...... 17 Psilocybin Mushroom. Park. St. Press Roche- ster, Vermont.

13 van Went,G.F.,1978.Mutagenicity testingof 3 hallucinogens: LSD, psilocybin and delta Chemical Action ...... 19 9-THC, usingthemicronucleustest. Experientia 34(3), 324–325. 14 Franz, M.,Regele,H.,Kirchmair,M.,etal.,1996. Magicmushrooms: hope for a ‘cheap Possible Research Applications ... 20 high’ resulting in end-stage renal failure. Nephrol.Dial.Transpl.11(11), 2324–2327

Resources ...... 21 3 What is Psilocybin? Possible Research 20 Applications Psilocybin is a naturally oc- curring tryptamine alkaloid - Addiction treatment found in over 200 species of - Attention and perception mushrooms; most popularly • Psychotherapeutic adjunct the psilocybe cubensis.1 - Language and semantic for the dying coherence/association

• Obsessive-compulsive Psilocybin is not directly The role that psilocybin plays to - PTSD treatment disorder (OCD) responsible for psychedelic mushrooms themselves is still un- experiences. It is quickly known. Some speculations are: - Role of serotonin • Anxiety disorders broken down into psilocin - Chemical defense against by Monamine Oxidase, - Mystical Experiences Bacterial competitors • Depressive disorder which binds to the brain. - Deterrent to herbivores - Emotion - An interface point between • Cluster headaches human consciousness and Tryptamines are structur- the extended network of planetary - Memory • Perception research ally similar to the amino life

acid tryptophan. Seroronin - Neural networks 3 - Revealing brain function is a naturally occurring via - shroomery.org tryptamine. Serotinin is an - Positive Psychology - Educational Tool important neurotransmit- (Flourishing) ter involved in mood and - Insight Problem Solving emotional regulation. It also - Neurology of Psychosis

plays a key role in the psy- - Implicit Learning chedelic effects occasioned -Salience and Construal by psilocybin and psilocin, which stimulate serotonin receptors.2 19 Chemical Action Psychological Effects 4

The effects of psilocybin vary greatly depending on the dose. Very low doses are used by some to enhance cognition in areas such - Psilocybin is rapidly metabolizes to psilocin, which is as focus, creativity, and the ease of entering flow states (being “in the a potent agonist at serotonin 5-HT1A/2A/2C receptors. zone”)4. No studies have so far been done on this method of using 5-HT2A receptor activation is directly correlated with psychedelic compounds, known as ‘microdosing’. Low doses can also human hallucinogenic activity(1)(15). sometimes cause drowsiness or amplify existing mood. Medium doses

induce a well controllable altered state of consciousness.1 High doses (for reference, 5 grams of dried mushrooms is often referred to as a ‘heroic’ - Psilocybin produces a global increase in cerebral dose) initiate full psychedelic experiences. metabolic rate of glucose, mostly in the frontal cortex, anterior cingulate, and temporomedial cortex. These 1 changes were correlated with measures of psychologi- This includes: cal state1 Changes in perception (dream-like states, illusions, hallucinations, synes- - A recent study16 found that psilocin binds to many thesiae) different receptors, including dopamine, in the follow- ing order: Changes in body image (e.g. tingling, dreaminess or somatic hallucinations) 5HT2B>5HT1D>D1>5HT1E>5HT1A>5HT5A>5HT7>5HT 6>D3>5HT2C>5HT1B>5HT2A. Altered self-perception

- The effects of psilocybin in humans is blocked by the Distorted perception of time and space 5-HT2A/C antagonists17 Magical thinking, unusual ideas or delu- - Psilocybin also indirectly increases (via 5HT recep- sions tors) the release of dopamine in the ventral striatum in humans, an effect that correlated with symptoms of Elation/Joy depersonalization and euphoria1. Mystical experiences 5 18 Cognitive Effects1

• Increase in the blood oxygen signal in the early phases Reduced ability to visually distinguish between of autobiographical memory recollection (within 8 s) in faces with negative and neutral expressions the striatum and limbic areas. This is also observed in but not positive-neutral faces the later phases within the medial prefrontal cortex and sensory areas of the cortex. Disrupts sustained attention • Increased functional connectivity after 2 mg i.v. of psi- Altered visual information processing (binocu- locybin between the two specific neuronal networks. The lar rivalry tests)* first (default mode network), is typically activated during a resting state and introspection, whilst the second, task-positive network, is activated during focused atten- tion. These two networks reciprocally alternate in their activity during normal waking consciousness, but under meditation, psychosis, propofol sedation and the influ- ence of psilocybin they closely interact. However, unlike propofol, thalamo-cortical connectivity was preserved after the administration of psilocybin and it would dis- criminate in a substantial way the psychedelic experience from sedation25.

• Reduced amygdyla (responsible for fear and startle responses) reactivity to negative and neutral stimuli. Psilocybin-induced attenuation of right amygdyla activity in response to negative stimuli was related to psilocybin Interestingly, psilocybin produces similar alterations to binocular rivalry re- induced increase in positive mood state26. sponses to those observed in deep meditative states engaged by experienced meditation practitioners, such as prolonged duration of one of the competing stimuli. 17 Functional Magnetic 6 Resonance Imaging *Binocular rivalry occurs when two different images are presented to each eye at the same time... Only one of the two images will be in focus at any given time and they will switch every few seconds. This also occurs with ambiguous images like the one below:

fMRI uses magnets to take measurements of changes in blood flow within the body and brain. This gives us pictures like the ones on the left and indicates what might be the most active structure at a given time.

• Decrease of blood-oxygen-level-in a variety of subcor- tical regions. High-level association of activity between fronto-temporo-parietal regions and in the important connectivity hubs of thalamus and midline cortex (ante- rior and posterior cingulum and precuneus).20

• The intensity of the subjective effects was predicted by decreased activity in the anterior cingulate and medi- al prefrontal cortex (mPFC). 20

- Reduction of connectivity between the posterior cin- gulate and mPFC indicates that the subjective effects of psilocybin could be caused by decreased activity and connectivity in the brain’s key hubs of functional con- nectivity, the Default Mode Network.20 7 16 Possible Negative Electroencephalogram Experiences EEG scanning technology detects electri- cal activity using electrodes attached to the scalp to pick up the electrical impulses neurons use to communicate. Psychological discomfort is much more likely than physical risks*. Some of the unpleasant reactions that • Psilocybin(0.215 mg/kg p.o.) decreased basal alpha can occur are:1 power precluding a subsequent stimulus-induced de-

crease and attenuated VEP N170 in the parieto-occipital

area22

• Psilocybin (2 mg i.v.) also decreased broadband spon- • Anxiety taneous cortical oscillatory power during resting state • Paranoid experiences in MEG, with large decreases being in the areas of the • Derealisation default-mode network (DMN) and other resting state net- • Depersonalization works1 • Long lasting unpleasant experiences (bad trips) • Psychotic reactions • Posterior cingulate (central hub of DMN) desynchro- • Rare hallucinogen persisting perception disorder nization can be explained by increased excitability of (HPPD)** are sometimes reported5 deep-layer pyramidal neurons23.

• A human Ayahuasca study with low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) supports the generalization of these effects to all *Most negative experiences can be redirected with psychological support.6 psychedelics24. This is the motivation behind the growing movement of psychedelic harm reduction at music festivals.

**Incidences estimated to be only a few cases per million6 15 8 The Short Version:(1)(19)(20) Addiction

Here is a quick summary for those not familiar with neuro- science or pscyhology. So far we know that psilocybin has Risk of addiction is very low the following primary effects on the brain: - One studies used the phrase “zero potential to cause addiction”1

Chronic administration of psychedelics temporarily 1 - There is a higher average number of neurons connected reduces the number of 5HT2Areceptors and leads to in the brain under the influence of psilocybin compared to a rapid onset of short-lasting tolerance7 normal waking consciousness Monkeys did not seek psilocybin as a reward8 2 - There is less overall activity in many subcortical areas, measured by reduced brain blood oxygen levels. These In humans, psilocybin does not cause craving or are the parts of the brain that are phylogenetically “older” withdrawal6 (i.e., they evolved earlier). It does not directly affect the mesolimbicdopami- 3 - Increase in desynchronization in the cortex, especial- nergic pathway and so does not activate the reward ly at the 5th cortical layer (there are 6 cortical layers; system9 the cortex is the more recently evolved area of the brain implicated in abstract thought and integration of cognitive processes)

4 - Reduction in the overall activity and integrity of other- wise stable networks, notably the Default Mode Network. Drug dependencies are the result of habitual, unexamined, and obsessive behaviour; these are precisely the tendencies in our psychological make- 5 - Increase in connectivity between areas and networks up that the psychedelics mitigate. that often do not communicate - Terence Mckenna (Plan, Plant, Planet, 1989) http://deoxy.org/t_ppp.htm 9 14 Safety

Although the use of psychedelics can trigger nonspecific psychotic episodes, or accentuate psychotic symptoms, these substances do not play a causal role in the occurrence of mental illness. The risk of psycho- sis that lasts longer than 48 hours in otherwise healthy subjects after a single dose of psilocybin is extremely low. Cases where it does occur are typically associated with personality predispositions.(1)(5)

The prevalence of lasting psychiatric symptoms after the use of serotogenic psychedelic compounds in thousands of healthy subjects and psychiatric patients was 0.08–0.09% and 0.18%, respectively. Some re- ports even find possible positive psychological effects amongst populations using psychedleics.27

fMRI image showing the key nodes of the Default Mode - Psilocybin showed no specific signs of toxicity Network. It is generally agreed that this network integrates in the isolated organs (intestine, heart) of rats function across distal brain areas. It is not present in 10 and pigs. infants and develops over childhood19. Some of the func- tions that this network is involved in are autobiographical 5 - It is not neurotoxic memory, self-reference, reflecting on one’s emotions and - It has a lower toxicity rating mental states, remembering the past, imaging the future, 1 than vitamin A and moral and social reasoning.

- To bring on death would take approx. 19 grams of the pure drug, or eating one’s body weight in fresh psilocybin mushrooms11 13 10

Approx. 2000 subjects had received psilocybin under controlled experimental conditions by 20051, without causing any serious side ef- fects12. None have been reported in the studies since this time.

Psilocybin is very likely to have no genotoxic effects13.

“To make biological survival possible, Mind at Large has to be funneled through the reducing valve of the brain and nervous system. What comes out at the other end is a measly trickle of the kind of consciousness which will help us to stay alive on the surface of this particular planet. To formu- Possible Concerns: late and express the contents of this reduced awareness, man has invented and endlessly elaborated those symbol-systems and implicit philosophies • Hypertension and persistent abnormal fast heart rates may affect predis- which we call languages. Every individual is at once the beneficiary and the posed individuals negatively if given extremely high doses of psilocybin victim of the linguistic tradition into which he or she has been born -- the (several times higher than in clinical trials). Potential adverse effects beneficiary inasmuch as language gives access to he accumulated records of this case could include coma, hyperthermia, and respiratory failure of other people’s experience, the victim in so far as it confirms him in the (symptoms of serotonin syndrome)1. belief that reduced awareness is the only awareness and as it be-devils his •No such cases have been reported with psilocybin mushrooms sense of reality, so that he is all too apt to take his concepts for data, his • Mushrooms that look similar to psilocybin containing mushrooms can words for actual things.” - , The Doors of Perception cause organ damage,14 so amateur mushroom scavenging is not advised. 11 12

Brain Activity Signatures Neuroimaging studies at the Imperial College of London have focused on the transition between the waking state and the psychedelic state. There are 11 resting state networks in the brain. The most talked about is the Default Mode Network, which Robin Carhart-Harris and Karl Friston argue is the nerual correlate of the ego19. This network is effectively dissolved by psilocybin, which activates receptors at the key nodes that maintain it. Car- hart-Harris’ lab noted the striking similarity between psilocybin’s effect of dissolving this and other networks that constrain waking cognition and the ‘reducing valve’ metaphor used by Aldous Hux- ley in his seminal book “The Doors Of Perception”20.

The image above is a visual representation of the average neural connectivity between brains under normal conditions (left) and under the influence of psilocybin (right) taken from: https://www. Chronicling his experiences with under wired.com/2014/10/magic-mushroom-brain/ the supervision of University of Saskatchewan LSD researcher Humphrey Osmond, Huxley observed that the psychedelic state seemed to be characterized by a richness of information not typ- Psilocybin, and other psychedelics, provide an interesting ically available21. Rather than deadening the senses, or distorting window into the functionality of the brain. Network theory has them as many recreational substances do, psychedelics seem been applied to the data obtained from neuroimaging research to turn off the brain’s ‘reducing valve’ that filters out irrelevant and the unique dynamics of the psychedelic state has so far proven to be an unparalleled method for investigating conscious information from the world and opens the mind to a wider array of experience than the brain typically allows for during normal experience and revealing certain functional qualities of the brain. waking consciousness. This idea is a research project in its own Network Theory is based on a holistic view of brain functioning, right. For now, the limited information from studies using fMRI compared to views that see brain anatomy in terms of indepen- (functional magnetic resonance imaging) and EEG (Electroenceph- dent modules built for specific tasks. The mathematical methods of network theory are also the foundation for many projects in alography) can be found on the following pages. While prelimi- computer science, including Google’s Deep Dream AI system18. In nary, the results are almost as stimulating for the mind as ‘magic’ mushrooms appear to be! short, network theory measures the average patterns of connec- tivity between the nodes (in this case neurons) of a given net- work, and identifies stable networks (i.e., those that are regularly

visited). There has been much recent interest in what the brain Philosophical food for thought - no one organ or brain network can be said to be a ‘re- is doing while at rest and in the transition between resting states ducing valve’ The whole brain/body apparatus plays a role in reducing, or constraining and task focused states. the possibilities for experience within an environment (for example, vision is dependent on the structure of the eyes and brain in addition to environmental stiumli).