Are medical mushrooms the next frontier in anxiety and depression treatment? Some think so.
- Cadiz Salazar
- Feb 6
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 7
In December 2020, wildland firefighter Ben Strahan reached his breaking point. After months of grueling isolation, battling wildfires, and enduring the weight of the COVID-19 pandemic, he found himself emotionally spent.
“My central nervous system was smoked,” Strahan recalls. “I hadn’t seen my family in 20 months, and I was just exhausted.”
Though Strahan had recently landed his dream job as the supervisor of an elite hotshot crew, fighting extreme wildfires, the psychological toll of the job began to weigh heavily on him.
A Near-Tragedy and a Turning Point
One winter morning, Strahan, overwhelmed by his internal struggles, reached an unimaginable decision. While sitting on the edge of his bed, he put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger. Miraculously, the gun did not fire. This moment was a wake-up call for Strahan, realizing he needed help, but he was hesitant about traditional antidepressants due to concerns about side effects and dependency.
Exploring Alternatives: The Search for Healing
Desperate for relief, Strahan turned to research alternatives. His search led him to psychedelic medicine—something nonaddictive with the potential for rapid results. Despite initial fear, Strahan decided to give it a try.
Psychedelic Medicine: A Growing Movement
Strahan’s journey with psychedelics is part of a larger movement. More individuals are seeking psychedelic therapy to treat mental health issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction. However, many must go abroad for treatment since psychedelic-assisted therapy remains illegal in most U.S. states.
Nevada at the Forefront of Legalization
Nevada is becoming a leader in the push for psychedelic therapy, with multiple bills in the works to regulate psilocybin therapy. Advocates, including retired Navy SEAL Jon Dalton, are driving the conversation. After experiencing transformative results from psilocybin therapy, Dalton co-founded the Nevada Coalition for Psychedelic Medicines, pushing for regulatory frameworks to allow legal access to this therapy.
Support Across Demographics: A Unifying Cause
Veterans, first responders, and everyday citizens alike are supporting psychedelic therapy, acknowledging its potential to address high rates of PTSD and mental health struggles. Public perception of psychedelics is shifting, much like the changing attitudes toward cannabis, with even conservative figures voicing support for this transformative therapy.
Resistance and Concerns: Finding a Middle Ground
Despite growing support, resistance remains, particularly from those concerned about the potential for recreational use and the effects on young people’s developing brains. Strahan advocates for strict regulation, acknowledging the power of these substances and stressing that they should be respected as therapeutic tools rather than recreational drugs.
A Life-Changing Experience: Strahan’s Journey with Psilocybin
Strahan’s experience with psilocybin was nothing short of transformative. It began with setting an intention and ingesting the mushrooms, which led to profound realizations and what is known as “ego death”—the disintegration of his ego. He emerged from the experience with a renewed sense of love, self-love, and surrender.
“The healing I found, the man I’ve become because of it—that’s real,” Strahan reflects.
The Science Behind the Experience: Psychedelics and the Brain
The therapeutic potential of psychedelics goes beyond anecdotal experiences. According to Rochelle Hines, a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, compounds like psilocybin can enhance neuroplasticity—retraining the brain by allowing for new pathways and healthier thought patterns. Unlike traditional antidepressants, which work for a limited number of people, psychedelics show promise for a broader group.
The Future of Psychedelic Medicine: Unlocking Its Full Potential
Researchers are exploring both psychedelic and non-psychedelic compounds with similar effects. While the transformative nature of the experience is still not fully understood, the growing body of evidence suggests that psychedelics have significant potential for mental health treatment.
As Ben Strahan’s journey illustrates, the healing power of these substances is real—and advocates are determined to bring this life-changing therapy to those in need, as quickly and responsibly as possible.
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