Episode 6- Psilocybin and How it Can Help Conquer Fear...

The HeathenMachine Chronicles

In this episode I'll discuss the ways psilocybin mushrooms help overcome fear. Also discussed is what triggers fear, and a pair of studies that explore the ways in which psilocybin can bring relief to the terminally ill.
Listed below are the sources used for the podcast and I would encourage everyone to dive in and learn about psychedelics!
Works Cited:

1 Brodwin, E. (2017, December 11) Peter Thiel is betting on magic mushrooms to treat depression — and he's not the only one. Business Insider. Retrieved from

2 Cannon, W.B. (1915) Bodily Changes in Pain, Hunger, Fear and Rage: An Account of Recent Researches into the Function of Emotional Excitement. 187-189.

3 Dockrill, P. (2018, January 8) Magic Mushrooms Do the Opposite of Anti-Depressants, But That May Be Why They Work. Science Alert.

4 Gibb. B.J. (2007) The Rough Guide to the Brain. Strand, London. Rough Guides Ltd. 97-99.

5 Griffiths, R. R. Johnson, M.W. Carducci, M.A. Umbricht, A. Richards W.A. Richards B.D. Cosimano M.P. Klinedinst M.A. (2016) Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial. Journal of Psychopharmacology 30(12) 1181-1197 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116675513

6 Lamia, M. (2011, December 15) The Complexity of Fear: Are you experiencing anxiety, or is it fear? Psychology Today.

7 McIntosh, J. (2016, April 29) Serotonin: Facts, What Does Serotonin Do? Medical New Today.

8 McRae, M. (2017, July 8) Research Shows Magic Mushrooms Can Offer Real Benefits in Depression Therapy. Science Alert

9 Ross, S. Bossis, A. Guss J. Agin-Liebes, G. Malone, T. Cohen B. Mennenga, S. E. Belser, A. Kalliontzi, K. Babb, J. Su, Z. Corby, P. Schmidt, B. L. (2016) Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Psychopharmacology 30(12) 1165-1180 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116675512

10 Schiffman, R. (2016, December 1) Psilocybin: A Journey Beyond the Fear of Death? Scientific American.

11 TedMed (2016, April 20) The science of psilocybin and its use to relieve suffering. [Video file].

12 Vollenweider, F.X. Kometer, M. (2010, September) The neurobiology of psychedelic drugs: implications for the treatment of mood disorders. Nature Reviews: Neuroscience. 11(9) 642-651.