The Canadian government has given a green light to a startup for exporting psychedelic substances to Australia for medical purposes. The task of exporting psilocybin-infused pills, a component extracted from magic mushrooms, and MDMA, has been assigned to Optimi Health Corp. by the health department.
Demand for these substances is growing not just locally, as seen in the increasing interest in magic mushrooms in Ontario, but also in other countries. Several nations are now following Canada’s lead and beginning to investigate and permit the medicinal use of serotogenic compounds.
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[toc]Key Takeaways:
- The Vancouver-based startup, Optimi Health, has received a drug establishment license to export magic mushroom pills to Australia.
- In Australia, licensed psychiatrists are allowed to use magic mushrooms to treat chronic depression.
- The treatment protocol involves three sessions spread out over a period of five to eight weeks, with each session running for approximately eight hours.
The Rise of Psilocybin Capsules in Canada
Optimi, a small Vancouver-based company, aims to use its certification to broaden the pharmaceutical market for psychedelic drugs and gain an early market entry advantage.
While seven companies have exported psilocybin, MDMA, or both, it has only been for clinical trial use. A representative from Canada’s health department could not confirm whether these exports were for regular patient use and declined to name the companies for security reasons.
This accomplishment places Optimi in a unique group of global suppliers. Currently, the market is more focused on clinical rather than recreational use.
What’s in the Pill?
Although the company hasn’t disclosed the specific mushroom strain used in the pill, it is known to work with a range of strains, including Albino Penis Envy, among others.
To facilitate its operations, Optimi has established a 20,000-square-foot facility in Princeton, British Columbia. This facility is used to cultivate, examine, and extract its psychedelic mushrooms. This quaint town, home to about 3,000 residents, is situated three hours to the east of Vancouver.
Australia and Psychedelic Mushrooms: A Close Relationship
Approximately one in every five Australians aged between 16 and 85 may experience a mental illness. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is expected to impact around 11% of Australians at some point, while anxiety disorders are common among 17% of the population.
While a wide variety of methods exist to treat mental conditions, not all are equally effective for everyone. Patients who don’t respond to certain treatments often struggle to find a method that works for them, increasing their vulnerability.
Understanding the Process
Australia has been at the forefront of using psilocybin, allowing licensed psychiatrists to leverage this controlled substance to treat PTSD and intractable depression.
In an unexpected decision in February, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) reclassified MDMA and shrooms for therapeutic purposes. The TGA confirmed these substances to be safe when used within a medically controlled setting for patients with severe mental disorders.
This shift has been game-changing for numerous mental health professionals and researchers. The use of these substances will be strictly monitored; it’s not as simple as taking a pill and walking away.
The typical treatment plan includes three sessions spread over a five to eight week period. Each session is approximately eight hours long and the therapist remains with the patient throughout.
Canada’s Role in Advancing Psilocybin Research
Canada has become a leading center for psilocybin research, significantly expanding our understanding of this compound. Health Canada, along with several institutions, is driving the investigation into psilocybin’s therapeutic potential for various mental health disorders.
Research institutions no longer need to classify these substances as illegal or rely on unregulated dispensaries or mushroom shops. The government now permits certain institutions to grow shrooms for research purposes.
The increased accessibility to substances previously perceived as harmful enables researchers to delve deeper into their potential benefits for numerous individuals.
A Recurring Trend
From the 1950s, this domain was identified as having potential for addressing mental health disorders and substance misuse, including alcoholism. English psychiatrist Humphry Osmond and Canadian biochemist Abram Hoffer pioneered this early research at Weyburn The Saskatchewan Mental Hospital. This institution observed significant progress under the stewardship of then-premier Tommy Douglas, who gave the medical professionals considerable freedom to explore their medical hypotheses.
Dr. Osmond and Dr. Hoffer initiated studies using LSD, mescaline, and peyote as possible alternatives to the harsh methods of electroshock and lobotomy. Their research took unexpected turns, promoting the idea for medical practitioners, nurses, and support staff to personally experiment with these substances.
Canadian Health Research Institutes
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health, and Addiction is funding three clinical trials. These trials aim to examine the therapeutic efficacy and safety of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
| Project Type | Study Focus | Research Institution | Lead Investigator | Project Budget |
| A randomized controlled trial | End-of-life psychological distress in advanced cancer patients | University of Toronto | Sarah Hales | $928,643 |
| Mechanisms supporting psilocybin psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder treatment | Alcohol use disorder | University of Calgary | Leah Mayo | $1,000,000 |
| A randomized phase II clinical trial comparing single versus dual psychedelic doses | Treatment-resistant depression | University of Toronto | Joshua Rosenblat | $1,000,000 |
This research funding will allow a broader understanding of controlled substances’ potential benefits. This initiative is made possible by the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy (CDSS) implemented by the Canadian Government.
Further Psychedelic Research
Psychiatrists in Vancouver have begun a phase III clinical trial of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The treatment involves three eight-hour sessions with MDMA, spaced a month apart, accompanied by nine 90-minute sessions without the drug. This trial is considered historically significant as it is the first clinical evaluation of an illegal
It’s been over forty years since a psychedelic substance has been approved for therapeutic use.
Getting to Know Psilocybin
Psilocybin is a naturally-produced psychedelic compound, which is found in certain species of mushrooms. Upon consumption, it transforms into psilocin, which then stimulates the serotonin 5-HT2a receptors situated on the cortical pyramidal cells in the brain. These cells serve as the primary processing units in the brain.
Researchers are currently investigating the potential of this substance to aid in the treatment of depression, anxiety, addiction, and end-of-life distress by promoting introspection and spiritual enlightenment.
Why is it Potentially Effective for Depression, PTSD, and More?
The active component targets multiple areas in the brain, making it potentially beneficial for a range of mental health conditions. This treatment has already been administered to numerous patients in Canada and Australia. The reported results are promising, with minor side effects reported such as temporary anxiety or elevated blood pressure.
Impact on Neurobiology
- Activation of Serotonin Receptors: This compound behaves as a partial agonist at serotonin receptors, especially the 5-HT2A subtype, which plays a key role in emotion processing and mood control.
- Default Mode Network (DMN) Regulation: It decreases the activity within the DMN, promoting introspection, reducing rigid thinking patterns, and enhancing emotional adaptability.
- Stimulation of Prefrontal and Limbic Regions: The antidepressant effects of the substance originate from its influence on the prefrontal and limbic regions of the brain, including the amygdala. In depression cases, the person often shows reduced response to emotional stimuli. The substance heightens the response to positive emotional stimuli in the right amygdala and decreases or normalizes the response to negative or neutral emotional stimuli.
Psychological and Emotional Effects:
- Promotion of Positive Mood States: It fosters sensations of euphoria, interconnectedness, and emotional openness during and after the psychedelic experience.
- Enhanced Emotional Processing: The psychedelic journey can help individuals confront and process deep-seated emotions, traumatic memories, or existential concerns in a supportive environment.
- Spiritual and Existential Insights: Research from Johns Hopkins University and Imperial College London suggests that it can foster enduring beneficial changes, such as increased wellness, elevated life contentment, and spiritual growth.
What Products Are Available at Your Local Magic Mushroom Stores?
Interested in the impact of this substance on your mental health? Explore magic mushroom stores to discover a product that suits your requirements.
| Product | Amount | Strength | Benefits |
| Evoke – Medicinal Mushrooms | 20 | 100mg or 200mg | Boosts mood, stimulates innovative thinking, and enhances productivity and focus |
| Ground Sounds – Microdose Capsules – Super Freak | 30 | 50mg, 100mg, and 250mg | Supports better well-being and enhances life quality overall |
| Kind Stranger – Microdose Capsules – Sidekick | 30 | 100mg | Spurs clear thinking, creativity, and concentration. Includes a powerful mix of clinical-strength adaptogenic herbs |
| Osmosis – Brain Boost | 30 | 100mg or 200mg | Provides cognitive and energy advantages |
International Acceptance of Psilocybin
Canada is not the only country supporting the use of magic mushrooms for mental health challenges. Countries like Australia are also embracing the use of these hallucinogens to treat disorders such as depression and PTSD. They are acquiring top-tier psychedelic capsules from trustworthy sources. With proper supervision, patients can significantly improve their life quality. Mushroom Canada, a magic mushroom supplier, offers an array of products, from pills to LSD edibles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do psilocybin and MDMA compare?
Both psilocybin and MDMA hold therapeutic promise by enhancing mental health. Psilocybin engages with serotonin 2A receptors and is effective in managing depression and addiction.
Conversely, MDMA cultivates empathy and is beneficial in PTSD treatment. It demonstrates potential in improving emotional processing and
Despite being classified as a controlled substance, it has been noted for its potential therapeutic effects.
Is this treatment option available to all Australians?
Not exactly. In Australia, an individual’s eligibility to use this substance is determined through an evaluation process. This assessment takes into account various factors such as any pre-existing heart conditions and a history of psychosis, among other conditions. The treatment is exclusively accessible to patients who have not shown improvement with conventional treatments for disorders like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
What will be the impact of Canada exporting mushrooms?
By exporting mushrooms, Canada is setting itself up to become a powerhouse in the psychedelics market, mirroring its position in the cannabis industry. This could incentivize more companies to produce high-quality products. As a result, Canada could become a leading player in the hallucinogen market, strengthen its economy, and provide other countries with access to these treatments. It would also discourage other countries from procuring their hallucinogens from illegal dispensaries or suppliers, consequently ensuring safety.
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