Are Psychedelic Mushrooms the Unexpected Solution to Domestic Violence? Experts Think So

Domestic violence remains a pervasive issue globally, with Canada being no exception. Traditional methods for dealing with the behaviour usually don’t work well, which leads experts to look for new solutions. One unexpected potential treatment is the therapeutic use of psychedelic “shrooms near me.” 

Key Points

• Women and gender-diverse individuals are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence.
• A study finding confirms the connection between psychedelic use and lower rates of domestic violence. 
• Researchers suggest that emotion regulation might influence this connection.

Domestic Violence in Canada

Domestic violence is a significant global issue. Anyone, regardless of age, race, class, or gender, can be a victim – women and children are more vulnerable. Shockingly, over 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men worldwide experience domestic abuse.

Based on the Canadian Centre for Justice and Community Safety Statistics, there were 358,244 victims of police-reported violence in the country in 2019.  

• 30% were victims of intimate partner violence, totalling 107,810 reported cases of domestic abuse. 
• The majority of the violence is perpetrated by a current partner, with 36% being a current boyfriend or girlfriend and 29% a spouse. 
• Former partners also contribute to the violence, with 21% being an ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend and 12% an ex-spouse.

While only 53% of violence victims were female, women make up the majority of domestic abuse victims, accounting for 79% of the total. Intimate partner violence is 3.5 times more prevalent in women than men, with 536 women versus 149 men per 100,000 population. 

However, between 2018 and 2019, the rate of domestic violence in men increased significantly, with male victims rising by 10% compared to a 5% increase in female victims.

With the onset of the pandemic at year 2020, fears of domestic violence escalated in Canada. According to a 2020 web survey conducted by the Canadian government, 8% of participants expressed extreme concern about violence at home. 

Nevertheless, this data may not capture all cases. Many were afraid to seek help because they were afraid of what their abusers might do, worried about staying safe, or felt ashamed about being a victim of domestic violence.

Can Psychedelic Mushrooms Reduce Domestic Violence?

Recent evidence suggests that using psychedelics predicts lower rates of intimate partner violence among men in the criminal justice system. However, it’s unclear if this applies to the general population, and the reasons behind this are poorly understood.

That’s why a study conducted by scholars investigated the connection between lifetime psychedelic use and intimate partner violence in a community sample of both men and women. The researchers also explore whether this connection is influenced by improved emotion regulation.

Methods

The researchers surveyed 1,266 community members aged 16–70 using an online questionnaire about substance use, emotion regulation, and intimate partner violence. Respondents were considered psychedelic users if they reported using lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin mushrooms at least once in their lives.

Results

• Men who reported using LSD and psilocybin mushrooms had lower odds of committing physical violence against their current partner.
• The analysis showed that male psychedelic users reported better emotion regulation compared to those who hadn’t used psychedelics. 
• Better emotion regulation appeared to mediate the connection between psychedelic use and reduced perpetration of intimate partner violence. However, this association was not observed among women in the sample.

Psilocybin’s Effects on the Brain

Magic mushrooms induce heightened excitement and disorder within brain networks. Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, modifies activity in a brain region linked to emotional processing and internal awareness. This alteration involves decreased slow brain wave activity and increased neuronal activity, which disrupts communication across distant brain regions.

Psilocybin also influenced the activity of single neurons, with approximately 40% exhibiting increased activity. This phenomenon, known as “phase-locking,” where neurons synchronize their firing with brain oscillations, was disrupted under psilocybin.

Neurons communicate through binary signals called action potentials or spikes and through burst firing, which involves rapid consecutive spikes. While psilocybin reduced overall burst firing, a subset of neurons displayed increased burst firing. Surprisingly, neurons with increased burst firing showed reduced phase-locking behaviour. This suggests that psilocybin enhances the anterior cingulate cortex but disorganizedly, disrupting the regularity of brain activity.

Magic Shrooms Top Product Selection

In considering psychedelic interventions for domestic violence, two main substances stand out: LSD and psilocybin (dried) mushrooms. 

LSD

LSD is a strong hallucinogenic drug with significant effects on perception, mood, and consciousness. It’s commonly taken orally as small tabs or liquid absorbed onto paper. Its effects may include vivid hallucinations, altered sensory perception, and intense emotional experiences. It has been researched for potential therapeutic benefits, especially in treating conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD, although ongoing research in this field remains contentious.

Dried Mushrooms

Dried shrooms contain psychoactive compounds like psilocybin and psilocin, inducing altered states of consciousness. Popular for recreational and spiritual use, they cause hallucinogenic effects such as visual distortions and heightened emotions. They’re usually consumed orally or infused into food or drinks. Research suggests therapeutic benefits for mental health conditions. 

LSD and psilocybin mushrooms show potential for addressing domestic violence. However, its dosage, effects, and potency should be carefully considered.

Conclusion

Psilocybin mushrooms offer a new way to address complex social issues like domestic violence. While more research is needed to grasp their therapeutic potential fully, early findings suggest psychedelics could provide unexpected solutions to long-standing societal problems. As we explore these possibilities, we must proceed cautiously, prioritizing safety and ethical considerations. Want to learn more about how shrooms can be used safely and what they can do? Check out Zoomies Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the various forms of domestic violence?

• Physical abuse: Includes hitting, pushing, slapping, strangulation, etc.
• Stalking: Repeated behaviour threatening safety, such as following or constant communication.
• Emotional and psychological abuse: Insults, threats, belittling, etc.
• Sexual violence: Acts without consent, degrading language, etc.
• Spiritual abuse: Using spiritual beliefs to control.
• Financial or economic abuse: Controlling assets, limiting job or school access.
• Cyberviolence: Using technology for harm, like tracking or surveillance.

Many victims may not recognize they’re in an abusive relationship. Research by Cosmopolitan and Women’s Aid found that two-thirds of the 122,000 women participants believed they had never been in an abusive relationship despite actually experiencing one—they were unable to recognize the signs.

Can psilocybin therapy replace traditional domestic violence intervention programs?

Psilocybin therapy isn’t a stand-alone solution for domestic violence issues. It could add value to current treatments but can’t replace them entirely. This is because more research is needed, it’s not allowed everywhere, and domestic violence is a complex problem that involves more than just individual behaviour. Also, not everyone can safely use psilocybin therapy. It’s an extra tool, not a substitute.

Can I use shrooms independently, or do I need a professional to assist me? 

• Safety. Figuring out how much to take can be difficult without a professional; if things go wrong, there’s no expert to help.
• Mental Health. If you or your family have had mental health issues, shrooms could make them worse.
• Right Setting. Having a professional means they make sure you’re in a good place for your experience, which matters a lot for safety and effectiveness.
• Making Sense of It. It can be tough to understand your experience without someone to talk it through with afterward. Professionals can help with this.
• Quality Control. With a professional, you know what you’re getting and that it’s safe.