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  • Um... Animator. Why does everything look like the 1970s threw up?

  • And why is your computer mouse lagging? And why is the Triangle Bob made out of hamburger meat?

  • Ooh... Okay. Okay. I know what I have to make a video on. Queue the intro!

  • Hey there! Welcome to Life Noggin!

  • While they may look like any ordinary mushroom, magic mushrooms are very complex!

  • They include about 180 mushroom species that contain the psychoactive chemical, psilocybin.  

  • When ingested, psilocybin is converted by the body to psilocin,  

  • which causes hallucinogenic or psychedelic effects including changes in perceptionmood, and thought.

  • And could even be used to treat mental disorders.

  • Depending on a variety of factors, including  the strength of the mushroom, amount consumedand the person's size,

  • the mind-altering effects can last anywhere from four to six hours.

  • These chemicals have a similar molecular structure to serotonin,  

  • which is used by your body to deliver messages between nerve cells.

  • And plays a role in many important functions like mood, sleep, and digestion.

  • Because these are so similar, psilocin binds to the same receptors.

  • But its the activation of one of these receptors in particular,  5-HT2A, that causes the trippy effect,  

  • which can include a more open mind, an intense sensory experience, and hallucinations.

  • 5-HT2A are widely found in the cortex, the area of the brain responsible for reasoning and rational thought.

  • And they themselves are associated with the regulation of moodimagination, and perception.

  • Some research has also found that psilocin affects another part of the brain called the default mode network,

  • which becomes active when your mind wanders during introspection.

  • The scientists responsible for the study believe that psilocin interferes with the neural connections here,  

  • forcing the brain to make new, unusual connections that result in a fragmented sense of self.

  • This rewiring of the brain is helping scientists treat mental health disorders that are marked by fixed patterns of thinking, like depression.

  • One clinical trial even found that psilocybin-assisted therapy can alleviate major depressive disorder symptoms, in some cases for at least a year.

  • Scientists are also researching its effects on OCD, addiction, and end-of-life anxiety.

  • Of course, this is all in a research setting and, like any drug taken recreationally,  

  • magic mushrooms can pose a serious health risk and in some cases, be life-threatening.  

  • If too much is taken you can overdose and experience vomiting, psychosis, seizuresand even end up in a coma.

  • Or you could have a negative reaction known as a bad trip where you may see a really unpleasant hallucination or feel panic or fear.

  • People who don't havesupport system around them can find themselves in a pretty dangerous and scary situation.

  • So please act responsibly and leave the  mind-altering medications and substances to professionals.

  • You don't want to risk having those issues I previously mentioned.

  • You also don't want to risk getting misidentified poisonous ones or any mushrooms laced with something really bad!

  • So are there any other drugs you'd like me to discuss?

  • This was a highly requested videoso thank you to everyone who suggested it! I hope you actually learned something here!

  • Click here to watch this video we did on derealization or click here to watch this video!

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  • As always, my name is Blocko, this has been Life Noggin. Don't forget to keep on thinking!

Um... Animator. Why does everything look like the 1970s threw up?

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