First responders are there for people during some of their worst moments. Police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and all those who work in this sector experience high stress on a regular basis, which may lead to maladaptive anger or even occupational burnout. Resilience training has proven promising for offsetting this stress, but one recently published study suggests a trippier approach.
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The Journal of Psychedelic Studies published a paper expanding on the positive experience of first responders who consumed magic mushrooms.
“Results can constitute an initial first step towards finding alternative solutions to address high rates of mental distress and illness, and all the cascade of cumulative negative effects,” the study authors wrote.
EMS workers and psilocybin
The paper had promising results for emergency service workers seeking alternative treatment for occupational stress. There are notable limitations, most glaringly the five-person sample size.
This small number of study participants does not provide adequate data to test a research hypothesis or represent all U.K. first responders. Information was also self-reported, which can lead to issues. Researchers also stopped checking in after two months, so long-term feedback is lacking.
But despite these limitations, this study marks an initial inquiry worth dissecting.
This paper focused on five emergency medical service workers who were already planning on taking a “therapeutic dose” of psilocybin for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The amount of psilocybin consumed by each participant in the study is never listed, but since the article states that each person was already microdosing magic mushrooms, it is likely higher than a microdose. Each participant also answered survey questions to measure their occupational stress levels, PTSD severity, and quality of life.
After the therapeutic trip, participants answered more survey questions regarding their experience. Surveys were completed before the therapeutic dose was administered, two weeks after consumption, and again two months after consumption.
On average, the first responders surveyed believed themselves to be at a moderate level of occupational stress. When asked to rate their quality of life out of 100%, 100 being absolutely fantastic, the average response settled at 60 percent. They were reaching burnout and had a low capacity for compassion. Each experienced improvement across the board after the therapeutic dose of magic mushrooms was administered.
Results are mixed, but there is hope
According to survey responses, the group’s average subjective stress dropped from a two-point-two (moderate) to 0.5 at two weeks and 0.3 at two months. Core PTSD symptoms dropped from an average of two to 0.5 at two weeks and then 0.4 after months. Average quality of life rankings jumped from 60 percent to 92 and then 95 percent. Feelings of job burnout and chronic occupational stress collectively decreased over time following the therapeutic psilocybin.
As for emotional and psychological breakthroughs, the participating first responders left feeling mildly more equipped to get back to their jobs. Few viewed their experience as an “emotional breakthrough,” but many reported facing difficult emotions they had been avoiding since receiving the dose. Most participants also expressed feeling a sense of closure following the magic mushroom trip.
Four out of five EMS workers returned to the job after the study. The one participant who did not shared an increased emotional sensitivity leading to issues completing work as a first responder. This participant informed researchers they would seek alternative employment following the psilocybin.
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Researchers noted that this same first responder chose to take the compound while on prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which may alter the mushroom experience. They ceased taking SSRIs after two months and were the only participant to express a desire for another therapeutic dose after two months.
Follow-up interviews with the other four participants concluded that each was “positively overwhelmed that the experience allowed them to have life-changing psychological insights.” They faced adaptive and maladaptive patterns and complex feelings. Each explored memories and emotions they used to resist, finding closure and solutions for previously enduring issues.
Long road ahead for psilocybin stress research
First responders support people in life-changing moments, taking on the stress of the many situations they face. Given this new research, it seems worthwhile to continue to evaluate the effects of psilocybin on occupational stress. The limitations are many but preliminary data indicates that magic mushrooms may have the power to relieve some of the burden on emergency workers.
