Magic Mushrooms VS. Depression

 Depression: 

Sadness is a perfectly normal reaction to life’s struggles, setbacks, and disappointments. Many people use the word “depression” to explain these kinds of feelings, but depression is much more than just sadness.  Depression is the overwhelming feeling of sadness when everything in your life seems to be going right.  However,  individuals struggling with depression do not feel sad, instead they feel empty, lifeless, apathetic, or even angry, aggressive, and relentless. 

Whatever the symptoms, there is a very clear distinction between depression and a feeling of sadness. Depression negatively influences people's day to day lives as it interferes with their ability to work, study, sleep, eat, or even enjoy themselves. The overwhelming feeling of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness are intense with little if any relief.

Over 3 million people suffer from depression in the United States alone. Depression is a mood disorder where one feels sad and experiences consistent loss of interest. Depression is treatable through a medical professional with a medical diagnosis. The reason as to why depression is so common is because the chemical imbalances a brain along with stressful life events are the perfect combination that causes people to develop depression.

Many of these stressful life events, such as losing a family member (aka: a loved one) happens all the time and is considered a part of life. Major depression can lead to a range of emotional and physical conditions. Individuals with major depression often are unable to sleep or concentrate on tasks. They also experience changes in appetite, decreased energy level, and thoughts of suicide. Medications (for example citalopram and paroxetine) that act on the chemical imbalance in the brain are also useful treatments for major depression.

Depression comes in many shapes and forms. The different types of depression have unique symptoms, causes, and effects. Knowing what type of depression you have can help you manage your symptoms and get the most effective treatment. It is normal, in life, to feel sad and happy according to whatever is happening during different periods of a lifespan. It is when feelings of hopelessness, isolation and despair paralyze an individual from living a healthy normal life that is what living with depression feels like. No matter how hopeless one feels, anyone can get better. Understanding the signs, symptoms, causes, and treatment of depression is the first step to overcoming the problem.

Types of Depression:

Major depression is characterized by the inability to enjoy life and experience pleasure. The symptoms of major depression are constant, ranging from moderate to severe. Left untreated, major depression typically lasts for about six months. Some people experience just a single depressive episode in their lifetime, but more commonly, major depression is a recurring disorder. Recurring mild depression is known as Dysthmia. Individuals who suffer from dysthmia feel moderately depressed most days with brief periods of normal mood.

Symptoms are not as severe as major depression, but it's symptoms tend to last much longer. It is very possible for people to experience major depression as well as dysthmia at the same time. This is known as 'double depression'. Many who struggle with dysthmia feel as though they have always suffered with depression or believe that this 'continuous depressed state' is normal. Dysthmia can in fact be treated even if the individual has not been diagnosed and treated for many years.

Cyclic mood changes called 'episodes' that vary from severe depression alternating to manic (euphoric) are characteristic of bipolar disorder (aka: manic depression). Because episodes tend to alternate, many tend to develop impulsive behaviors, hyperactivity, rapid speech, and a minimum to no sleep. Usually the altering of these two extreme moods is gradual. Each manic or depressive episode last only for several weeks. When depressed, a person with bipolar disorder exhibits the usual symptoms of major depression.

Symptoms: 

There are many symptoms to look out for to know if you are suffering from depression. A feeling of hopelessness/helplessness where an overwhelming feeling that nothing will get better and that there is nothing to do to change it. Losing interest in daily activities such as hobbies, past times, and any form of social life. Many times this is associated with losing the ability to feel joy and pleasure. Weight and appetite fluctuations are a big red flag for depression.

Inability to sleep, insomnia, or waking early and even oversleeping are signs of depression. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. When the whole body feels so heavy that performing daily tasks are exhausting and take longer to complete.Feelings of agitation, restlessness, or even violent behavior indicating a low tolerance level, very short temper, and everyone/everything anger you.

Self loathing is also a symptom where an individual has very strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Difficulty in concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things are also common in have a loved one with depression, take any suicidal talk or behavior seriously and learn to recognize the warning signs. Extreme cases of depression, individuals will feel as though their lives are not worth living and is a major risk factor for suicide.

Introduction:

Magic mushrooms have lifted severe depression in a dozen volunteers in a clinical trial, raising scientists’ hopes that the psychedelic experiences beloved of the Aztecs and the hippy counter-culture of the 1970s could one day become mainstream medicine. According to what history tells us, humans have been consuming psychedelic mushrooms for thousands of years. However, it wasn't until the 1950s that scientists began examining psilocybin and its possible therapeutic properties.

In the first theory, the memory of the “trip” — which can be a profound and extremely meaningful experience — could have a strong psychological effect on people, lifting their moods for months at a time. Alternatively, there may be a biological explanation: It’s possible the binding of psilocin to the serotonin receptor sets off a cascade of yet-unknown chemical reactions that persist for weeks or months.

  Magic Mushrooms:

Magic mushrooms are known to cause the mind to experience a recreational hallucinogen effect. Studies have recently shown that these mushrooms can have a powerful pharmaceutical effect for people diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression. Mushrooms from the genus Psilocybe contain psilocybin which is broken down by the human body into psilocin.

This psychedelic substance then crosses the blood-brain barrier and binds to a specific serotonin receptor known as 5-HT2A. A great change in consciousness occurs that is describe by people as a mystical event, a spiritual journey, or  a 'trip'. Psychedelic compounds in LSD, ayahuasca, and mescaline bind to this same receptor. (A)

It is illegal to buy Psilocybin for personal use in US and is subsequently extremely difficult in obtaining psilocybin for research studies. If the results from this pilot study show positive results, patients suffering from severe depression will be able to take doses of psilocybin with psychological support after they have been screened thoroughly and properly for the treatment.

The ultimate goal is to treat patients whose symptoms can be decreased through treatment-resistant depression at least temporarily for now. There definitely needs to be much more research before this treatment can be used safely and properly by the 15.7 million people who are struggling with depression. Once psilocybin becomes FDA approved, it is predicted that this will be the new treatment for depression. (A)

Research: Study No. 1: 

Six men and six women with chronic, treatment-resistant, moderate to severe major depression consented to take two different doses of psilocybin (10 mg and 25 mg), separated by one week. There was no control group, and the participants and in what’s called an “open label trial,” the investigators all knew that they were either taking or administering psilocybin. During the dosing sessions, participants relaxed on a bed in a room with dim lighting and listened to music through earphones. Supervisors monitored their blood pressure, heart rate and the psychoactive effects of the compound intermittently for up to six hours after they took the pills, while psychiatrists offered support but mostly let patients have their own “inner journey,” as the study put it, without interruptions. (A)

Results:

None of the participants experienced serious or unexpected negative side effects that required medical intervention from the dosing, though some reported mild anxiety, confusion, nausea or headache. The psychedelic effects peaked about two to three hours after dosing and then became negligible after about six hours. Most significantly, eight of the 12 patients responded extremely well to the psilocybin, meeting the criteria for remission from depression one week after the two treatments. After three months, five of them remained in remission, while another two continued to show improvement in their depression symptoms compared to baseline. Overall, all 12 patients showed at least some improvement in their symptoms for up to three weeks after the dose. (A)

The results seem promising, but there are some caveats. The overall positive response to the dosing treatment could in part be chalked up to the fact that the participants actively sought out the psilocybin trial and were probably expecting the medicine to work on some level, creating a bias in favor of the intervention. Indeed, five of the participants had already tried psilocybin at least once — one just six months before the experiment, others ranging from 14 to 48 years prior. His past experience with a drug and its presumed positive effects could increase suggestibility and expectancy in people, which could affect the results. Double-blind trials in which neither patient nor therapist knows which intervention they received or administered, as well as the inclusion of a control group, could address these issues in future experiments. (A)

Concluding Remarks:

These results gives hope for people with depressive symptoms for treatment-resistant depression which is a condition that does not respond to traditional antidepressant medication and therapy. Before the experiment, participants of the study reported that they had tried at least two courses of traditional antidepressants that were unsuccessful for them. Eleven of these participants received some kind of psychotherapy where the average amount of years of psychotherapy for depression was 18 years.

 

Because depression can be so chronic and relentless the possibility of psilocyin could soon be the huge shift in psycho-pharmacological treatment for depression. Especially since it works so quickly and the length of time it worked. The trips can sometimes be negative and extremely scary for some people and patients with treatment-resistant depression seeking psychological insight with a less exciting trajectory might consider the slow route offered by traditional dynamic psychotherapy.

 

Links:
(A) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/magic-mushrooms-show-promise-in-first-ever-depression-treatment-trial_us_573a5c2be4b077d4d6f3d5fd
(B)https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/may/17/magic-mushrooms-lift-severe-depression-in-clinical-trial
(C)https://projecthelping.org/the-symptoms/
 http://kissthemgoodbye.net/movie/thumbnails.php?album=566&page=10

Influenza : Pneumonia

Influenza:

Considered deadly in high risk groups, influenza is a viral infection that attacks the respiratory system (nose, throat, and lungs). Influenza, commonly called the flu, is not the same as stomach "flu" viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting. For most people, influenza resolves on its own, however there are conditions that bring upon the symptoms that can be deadly for the body. With over 3 million cases in the US alone per year, it is clear to see that it is easily contracted. The good news is that the flu can be partly preventable by vaccine, can be self-treatable, and can be diagnosed by the self. Usually the flu only lasts for a short period of time between days to weeks.

Children under the age of 5, adults older than 65 years, pregnant women, and people with weak immune systems or have chronic diseases or illnesses (i.e. asthma, heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes) are the high risk groups. Those who have a body mass index of 40 or higher are at higher risk including residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

Causes:

People with the virus are likely contagious from the day or so before symptoms first appear until about five days after symptoms begin. It is possible for people to be contagious for as long as 10 days after symptoms appear. Children and adults with weakened immune systems may be contagious for a slightly longer time. The flu spreads through airborne respiratory droplets (when another individual nearby coughs or sneezes), skin-to-skin contact (whenever people physically interact through handshakes or hugs), saliva (kissing or shared drinks), and lastly by touching a contaminated surface (blanket or doorknob) -are then transferred to your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Influenza viruses are constantly changing, with new strains appearing regularly. Many people have had influenza in which the body has made antibodies to fight that specific type of virus. However, because this virus is ever changing these antibodies that your body has created cannot fight against a new influenza sub-types because they vary in their immunology.  But if a future flu virus is similar to the past viruses a person has experienced then only by having the disease or by vaccination can those antibodies prevent infection or simply lessen the severity.(B)

 

Symptoms:

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Although at first the flu may seem like the common cold with similar symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat, it may be difficult to know which one you have. The difference is, is that colds tend to develop slowly whereas influenza or the flu tends to affect the body suddenly. In addition, even though the common cold and the flu seem very similar, the symptoms of the flu include more severe symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, congestion, runny nose, headaches, and fatigue.

Serious flu infections can lead to hospitalization or death. Older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions are at higher risk for these serious flu complications. As of today the best way to prevent the flu, is by making sure to get vaccinated each year before the flu season begins.

Research:

Research has indicated the most common viruses such as influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and one or two influenza B viruses will modify the new and upcoming flu vaccine to protect the body against these very same viruses as well as the general influenza virus. (B)

There are some signs to look out for that are related with the flu such as a fever of over 100F (38C),aching muscles, especially in your back, arms and legs, chills and sweats, headache, dry, persistent cough, fatigue and weakness, nasal congestion, and sore throat. As soon as symptoms are noticed it is strongly advised to take antiviral drugs within the first 48 hours to reduce length of illness and aid in the prevention of more serious problems to come. (B)

Treatment: 

The flu is treated primarily with rest and fluid to let the body fight the infection on its own. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain relievers may help with symptoms. An annual vaccine can help prevent the flu and limit its complications.From the most recent 'FluView Report', a decrease in flu activity can be observed within the US, however still maintaining it's slightly elevated levels. The flu viruses usually circulate at very low levels during the summer. (A)

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for people 6 months and older. Vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors' visits, and missed work and school due to flu illness, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. CDC also recommends that patients suspected of having influenza who are at high risk of flu complications or who are very sick with flu-like illness should receive prompt treatment with influenza antiviral drugs without waiting for confirmatory testing.(A)

Pneumonia:

Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. While pneumonia always refers to an infection of the lungs, there are many different types. Some are caused by viruses, fungi, or parasites, but many cases of pneumonia are caused by bacteria. The most common bacterial pneumonia is called pneumococcal pneumonia.

Pneumococcal pneumonia is a serious disease that can strike anywhere, anytime, and to anyone. It is one kind of community-acquired pneumonia. It is caused by common bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. Even if the individual leads a healthy lifestyle pneumonia is still just as possible for him or her because pneumonia is not a cold or the flu. The risks of being infected with Pneumococcal pneumonia increases as a person ages.

Pneumonia can range in seriousness from mild to life-threatening. It is most serious for infants and young children, people older than age 65, and people with health problems or weakened immune systems. Newborns and infants may not show any sign of the infection. Or they may vomit, have a fever and cough, appear restless or tired and without energy, or have difficulty breathing and eating.

People older than age 65 and people in poor health or with a weakened immune system may have a lower than normal body temperature. Older people who have pneumonia sometimes have sudden changes in mental awareness.

While some health and lifestyle factors may increase the risks of getting pneumococcal pneumonia, one of the primary risk factors in adults is age. This is due to the fact that natural, age related decline of the immune system. Pneumonia can begin quickly withing the body with little warning. Symptoms of cough and fatigue that last for weeks or longer can be confused with a common cold or flu. If these symptoms persist beyond weeks, it may result in hospitalization of the individual. In severe cases, it can lead to death.

Causes:

There is a common misconception that hospitals are where the majority of people get pneumonia. However, it is more commonly acquired through communities as well as throughout their daily lives, outside of hospitals or health care settings. Many germs can cause pneumonia. The most common are bacteria and viruses in the air we breathe. The human body is able to prevent these germs from infecting your lungs, however there are times in which these germs can overpower your immune system (even if the individual is healthy). Pneumonia is classified according to the types of germs that cause it and where you got the infection.

Some people catch pneumonia during a hospital stay for another illness. This type of pneumonia can be serious because the bacteria causing it may be more resistant to antibiotics. People who are on breathing machines (ventilators), often used in intensive care units, are at higher risk of this type of pneumonia. Health care-acquired pneumonia is a bacterial infection that occurs in people who are living in long-term care facilities or have been treated in outpatient clinics, including kidney dialysis centers. Like hospital-acquired pneumonia, health care-acquired pneumonia can be caused by bacteria that are more resistant to antibiotics.

The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in the U.S. is Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacteria.  This form of pneumoniae can develop on its own or after a cold or flu. Bacteria like organisms such as Mycoplasma Pneumoniae also can cause pneumonia.Walking pneumonia, a term used to describe pneumonia that isn't severe enough to require bed rest, may be caused by M. pneumoniae. Viruses can also cause not only pneumonia but colds and the flu as well.Some of the viruses that cause colds and the flu can cause pneumonia. Viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in children younger than 5 years.

Viral pneumonia is usually mild. But in some cases it can become very serious. Lastly, fungi, the lesser cause, can also cause people to get pneumonia. This type of pneumonia is most common in people with chronic health problems or weakened immune systems, and in people who have inhaled large doses of the organisms. The fungi that cause it can be found in soil or bird droppings. Aspiration pneumonia occurs when inhaling food, drinking, vomit, or saliva into the lungs.Aspiration is more likely if something disturbs your normal gag reflex, such as a brain injury or swallowing problem, or excessive use of alcohol or drugs.

 Symptoms:

The signs and symptoms of pneumonia vary from mild to severe, depending on factors such as the type of germ causing the infection, and your age and overall health. Mild signs and symptoms often are similar to those of a cold or flu, but they last longer. These symptoms include; fever, sweating and shaking chills, cough, which may produce phlegm, chest pain when you breathe or cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Individuals who suffer from chronic disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, or asthma. Those who have suppressed immune system (i.e. those who have HIV/AIDS, have had an organ transplant, or receive chemotherapy or long-term steroids are at risk). Smoking damages the body's natural defenses against the bacteria as well as the viruses that cause pneumonia. Patients who are being hospitalized, especially those in a hospital intensive care unit, or on a ventilator are at greater risk of pneumonia.

Treatment:

People who catch pneumococcal pneumonia are typically treated with antibiotics, since the illness is caused by bacteria. Many times, more than one antibiotic is prescribed and the treatment can be either oral or IV antibiotics depending on the severity of the pneumonia. Those who are considered 'high-risk' groups may experience complications. These complications include the following.  

Bacteria in the bloodstream (bacteremia). Bacteria that enter the bloodstream from your lungs can spread the infection to other organs, potentially causing organ failure.

Lung abscess. An abscess occurs if pus forms in a cavity in the lung. An abscess is usually treated with antibiotics. Sometimes, surgery or drainage with a long needle or tube placed into the abscess is needed to remove the pus.

Fluid accumulation around your lungs (pleural effusion). Pneumonia may cause fluid to build up in the thin space between layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). If the fluid becomes infected, you may need to have it drained through a chest tube or removed with surgery.

Difficulty breathing. If your pneumonia is severe or you have chronic underlying lung diseases, you may have trouble breathing in enough oxygen. You may need to be hospitalized and use a breathing machine (ventilator) while your lung heals.

Research:

From recent clinical studies of oral anti-bacterial drugs for treatment of community acquired pneumonia results showed that in these 7 studies, majority of patients had Pneumonia Patient Outcomes Research Team scores of I or II. Similar results were observed from several recently submitted clinical studies of intravenously administered antibacterial drugs for treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. The goal of these studies were to find a clinical cure for patients after the 7-21 day completion of therapy. Over 80% clinical cure rates were in the intent-to-treat populations whereas over 90% were in the pre-protocol populations. (D)

The percentage of randomized subjects with pathogens identified at baseline ranged from 47% to 76%, and the percentage of subjects with Streptoccocus pneumoniae isolated at baseline ranged from ∼6% to 20%. All studies recently submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for review of drugs for the indication of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) have been designed as noninferiority studies. The noninferiority study was created for the aim of demonstrating that the test drug is similar enough to the control drug. In order for the test drug to be of noninferiority to the control drug to be informative, one would need to know if the control drug would have been better than the placebo and by how much if a placebo was indeed included in the trial. (D)

The fundamental limitation and concern regarding noninferiority studies is whether the finding of similarity of a test drug and a control drug are informative. The study should therefore assess the ability of the study to have a variation between treatments. Similarity of test drug and active control can mean either that both drugs were effective or that neither was effective. Subsequently, through analysis of the study, the researchers should be able to conclude whether the drugs were effective and why. If this cannot be done, one cannot conclude efficacy from an active-controlled study that claims to show noninferiority. (D)

All the studies that were conducted and submitted to the FDA were active-controlled trials that showed non-inferiority. Within these studies the patients that took part had signs and symptoms similar to those of CAP. Results from the trails showed that the oral antibacterial drugs were generally less that those in the trails who took intravenous drugs. Although each of these studies showed that the test drug is “similar” to the control drug, uncertainty remains regarding what conclusions can be drawn from a non-inferiority study when evidence to support a non-inferiority margin has not been provided.(for more info on these trials go to this link: http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/47/Supplement_3/S150.full)

Links:
(A)http://www.cdc.gov/flu/
(B)mayoclinic.com/flu
(C)http://www.knowpneumonia.com/pneumococcal-pneumonia-treatment
(D) http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneumonia/basics/definition/con-20020032
(E)http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/47/Supplement_3/S150.full

*Please note! These are not my images! If any are yours please let me know so that I can give you credit for them~ Also these images have no relation whatsoever between the people in these images and the Diseases I am discussing about. Thanks so much~ Enjoy!