I’d always been an adventurous eater, never shying away from weird and wonderful dishes, nor from the occasional foray into the world of psychoactive substances.
Magic mushrooms, or ‘shrooms, as they’re commonly known, were one such exploration.
Known for their powerful hallucinogenic effects, they’re not typically associated with gut health issues. But guess what?
I found out the hard way that they can wreak havoc on your digestive system.
It started after a journey to the Andean highlands of Peru where I had my first encounter with shrooms. The locals assured me that they were perfectly safe — and they were, in terms of the psychedelic experience.
But back home in New York City, my stomach started to protest.
A few weeks of discomfort turned into months of severe issues. I was bloated and in pain, often doubling over in agony after meals.
My doctor was baffled until I finally confessed to my shroom experiment.
She explained that the mushrooms had upset the balance of my gut flora — the billions of bacteria that live in our digestive system and play a crucial role in our overall health.
The road to recovery was long and involved numerous dietary changes and supplements.
But it also led me to a deeper understanding of gut health and how crucial it is to our well-being.
Understanding magic shrooms and stomach pain
Magic mushrooms, scientifically known as Psilocybe cubensis, contain a psychoactive compound called psilocybin.
When consumed, this compound can induce hallucinations, changes in perception, and a host of other psychological effects.
However, the same mushrooms that open the doors to these experiences can also cause physical discomfort, particularly in the stomach.
The body converts psilocybin into psilocin — a substance that’s responsible for the psychedelic effects but can also irritate the stomach lining.
Moreover, mushrooms are tough to digest, and our bodies may struggle to break down these fibrous fungi, leading to feelings of nausea or stomach pain.
It’s crucial to note that these side effects are typically short-lived and subside as the psychedelic effects wear off.
However, for those with sensitive stomachs or pre-existing gastrointestinal issues like me, the discomfort might be more pronounced.
My journey to regaining gut health
As soon as the doctor pinpointed the source of my agony, there was a sense of relief.
At least now I knew what I was dealing with. The next step was figuring out how to tackle it.
The first thing on the agenda was to cut out any foods that might further irritate my gut.
Out went spicy foods, alcohol, and sadly, my beloved coffee. Instead, I filled my plate with fiber-rich vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Next came the world of probiotics and prebiotics – gut-friendly bacteria and the food they love to feast on.
I started with a high-quality probiotic supplement and added fermented foods like kimchi and kefir into my diet. Prebiotics came in the form of whole foods like bananas, oats, and asparagus.
Getting my gut health back on track wasn’t just about food though. Stress can also have a significant impact on your digestive system.
So I took up yoga and meditation, making sure to carve out some quiet time for myself every day.
It was a long road, filled with trial and error, but slowly I started to see improvement. My bloating reduced, the pain subsided, and I started to feel like myself again.
Challenging the belief about magic mushrooms
For many, magic mushrooms are a means to explore the inner workings of their mind, to break free from the constraints of their everyday reality.
There’s a widely held belief that, because they’re natural, they’re harmless, and while I’m not here to vilify them, my experience tells a different story.
Sure, shrooms can offer profound psychological insights and have even been used therapeutically to treat conditions like depression and PTSD.
But there’s more to them than just their psychedelic properties.
My journey unveiled that magic mushrooms can disrupt your gut health, and this isn’t something that’s often talked about.
Let’s admit it: we tend to focus on the immediate effects — the hallucinations and altered state of consciousness — but neglect to consider what happens once they’ve passed through our system.
This isn’t about painting shrooms as the bad guys.
It’s about acknowledging that, like anything else we put into our bodies, they too come with potential side effects. And it’s our responsibility to be aware of them.
My core strategies for restoring gut health
It’s important to remember that everyone’s gut health journey is unique.
What worked for me may not be the magic bullet for you, but I hope it can serve as a starting point.
Here’s what I found most effective in my recovery:
Firstly, I had to overhaul my diet. As soothing as a hot cup of coffee was to my soul, it was doing no favors to my irritated gut. I swapped it out for ginger tea, which has anti-inflammatory properties and can aid digestion.
Fiber-rich foods became the backbone of my meals. I loaded up on whole grains, vegetables, and legumes while cutting down on processed foods and refined sugars that could feed the harmful bacteria in my gut.
Then came probiotics and prebiotics — our loyal gut buddies. A probiotic supplement was a no-brainer, but I also incorporated fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi into my diet.
As for prebiotics, they were easily covered by including plenty of fruits and vegetables in my meals.
Finally, stress management was key. Chronic stress can upset your gut balance just as much as a bad diet can. To counter this, I practiced yoga and meditation daily, even if it was just for 10 minutes.
Looking beyond the gut: A holistic approach
Taking on my gut health issues, I realized the importance of responsibility. It was easy to lay the blame on the shrooms, but ultimately, I chose to consume them.
Owning up to this gave me the power to take control of my health rather than wallowing in self-pity.
I also learned a valuable lesson about societal conditioning. We often believe things are safe or healthy just because they’re natural or popular.
But it’s crucial to do your own research and make informed decisions.
Here are the key points that helped me navigate my journey:
- Acknowledge your struggles and face them head-on.
- Understand the role of societal beliefs and expectations.
- Take responsibility for your actions, even when it’s tough.
- Invest time in self-improvement practices like stress management techniques.
- Embrace the journey and be patient with your progress.
Asking questions, seeking information, and making choices that align with my well-being — rather than societal norms — was empowering.
My healing journey wasn’t about blind positivity or denying reality. It was about taking practical steps towards self-improvement.
