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MUSHROOM CLOUDS TO HELP SMOKERS QUIT ?
Vaping psilocybin , the hallucinogen in magic mushrooms , could be a potential game-changer to help smokers stop … but the technology is not quite there yet .
Words : Caroline Barry
One thing is certain about the vape industry and that is its ability to adapt and change . With devices so readily available and a greater public awareness of the sector , vaping has helped many millions of people to quit smoking . Now could vaping be about to enter a whole new arena to help even more smokers quit ?
Psilocybin , the hallucinogenic substance found in magic mushrooms , has recently been used to treat depression and mental health disorders . The US Food and Drug Administration has labelled it a ‘ breakthrough drug ’ for its power to combat depression .
A study from John Hopkins University tested the effect of psilocybin on smoking cessation . Researchers treated 15 smokers who consumed on average 19 cigarettes per day for 31 years . They found that psilocybin therapy had an 80 percent abstinence rate over six months in comparison to just 35 percent for the pharmaceutical option , Champix . Since then , more work has been done in this field and it looks likely that should this novel approach to smoking cessation be rolled out , then vaping would be the delivery system of choice .
The Conscious Fund invests in early stage ventures in psychedelic medicines across the globe . Founding partner , Henry Sant-Cassia is very optimistic about the huge potential in this field but says there are major differences between regular e-cigarettes and vaping psilocybin . Henry said : “ The most important thing to understand is the difference in potency between ( regular ) vaping and psilocybin . It ’ s the difference between low alcohol beer and pure ethanol in terms of strength . “ With mushrooms , you have to get a prescription and take it to the clinics that are just starting up . What isn ’ t likely to happen is that you can pop to a shop and buy your magic mushroom vape .” Henry says the USA and Canada are likely to be the first major markets for this prospective new industry , but believes that it has worldwide potential as a new smoking cessation tool . Oregon has already legalised psilocybin therapy , giving it the opportunity to regulate and commercialise therapy programs and create licensed facilities . He added : “ Vaping offers benefits over other delivery methods when it comes to developing a psilocybin treatment , as it allows it to get into the bloodstream quicker and bypasses some of the digestive processes that weaken the drugs .
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