A groundbreaking study by Imperial College London’s Centre for Psychedelic Research reveals that magic mushrooms, LSD, and other psychedelics can significantly improve sexual function for months following the experience. This research, the first of its kind, suggests psychedelics could have therapeutic applications in sexual health and beyond.
Magic mushrooms, LSD, and other psychoactive substances have been found to potentially enhance sexual function for an extended period post-experience. This pioneering study, conducted by Imperial College London’s Centre for Psychedelic Research, marks the first scientific exploration into psychedelics’ impact on sexual health. Nearly 300 participants reported improvements in various aspects of sexual functioning weeks after their psychedelic experiences.
The study analyzed responses from individuals using psychedelics recreationally or for wellness/ceremonial purposes and a smaller group from a clinical trial on psilocybin for depression. Results indicated enhancements in sexual enjoyment, arousal, satisfaction, attraction to partners, body image, communication, and connection, lasting up to six months.
Interestingly, the study also compared the effects of psilocybin with a leading antidepressant, finding that psilocybin users reported significant improvements in sexual arousal and satisfaction, whereas antidepressant users often experienced a decline in sexual function. This suggests psychedelics might offer an alternative treatment avenue for depression without the sexual side effects associated with standard antidepressants.
The researchers propose that psychedelics could be beneficial in various therapeutic settings, including couples therapy, by potentially avoiding drug-induced sexual dysfunction. The study’s findings also underscore the importance of sexual health to overall psychological well-being, highlighting the need for further research in this area.
Why It Matters: This research sheds light on the potential of psychedelics to improve sexual health, a crucial aspect of human well-being often impacted by mental health conditions and the side effects of conventional treatments. By offering a possible alternative to antidepressants without compromising sexual function, psychedelics could revolutionize the approach to treating depression and anxiety, enhancing both sexual and mental health.
Potential Implications: The study opens new avenues for the therapeutic use of psychedelics, suggesting they could play a role in treating conditions that adversely affect sexual health. It also highlights the need for more comprehensive research to understand fully and harness the benefits of psychedelics in sexual and mental health treatment.
Nothing is better on a winter night than pasta – go the extra step with this cannabis infused tomato sauce
The weather is cold and just feels good and warm inside. And what better way to enjoy the cold weather with pasta. The reason is so globally popular is it’s a versatile dish that can be prepared in many ways, and it’s enjoyed by people of many cultures. But this easy sauce recipe can be enhanced to give you a relaxing and chill time post meal.
Jordan Wagman is a James Beard nominated Chef. Diagnosed with psoriasis at an early age, Wagman searched over thirty years for a long-term solution to this often-debilitating disease; hospital stays, trips to the sunshine, and conventional medications were all employed and did provide some short-term reprieve but it wasn’t enough. Eventually, he made dietary changes and began consuming cannabis. Within sixty days he lost thirty pounds and, remarkably, his psoriasis improved dramatically. It lead him to sharing his story, his latest book isWELL, How I Found My Health Through Food. He is a featured speaker at February Women Who Grow Conference.
Chef Wagman shares the easiest, fastest all-purpose tomato sauce you will ever make. And you can add a little something extra.
Ingredients
2 cups (500 ml) cherry or grape tomatoes
1/3 cup (100 ml) olive oil
¼ cup (60 ml) water
¼ tsp (1 ml) sea salt
¼ tsp (1 ml) freshly ground pepper
Create
Rinse tomatoes under warm water, dry and set aside
In a saucepan combine tomatoes, olive oil, water, salt and pepper and bring to a simmer over low heat until tomato skins begin to split and the juice from the tomatoes has been released, about 20 minutes
Remove from heat, transfer to a blender or use an immersion blender in the saucepan and puree until smooth
Use immediately or cool to room temperature. Transfer to an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to five days
Note
Add desired amount of cannabis oil, isolate or distillate and basil leaves to the tomato mixture before pureeing. This will ensure the cannabis is evenly distributed, creating an homogeneous mixture.
And here is some lagniappe, pasta and salt have a harmonious relationship in Italian cuisine. Salt enhances the natural flavors of pasta, bringing out its inherent sweetness. When cooking pasta, it’s essential to add salt to the boiling water to season the pasta evenly. This step helps the pasta absorb flavors better, especially when combined with sauces. Using high-quality salt, like sea salt or kosher salt, can further elevate the taste experience. Proper salting is a key element in preparing delicious pasta dishes.
He has another movie dropping – but does Will Ferrell chill with cannabis after all the production?
He is paired with Reese Witherspoon for a new comedy You Are Cordially Invited. Ferrell has had a series of success from the wildly popular original Lego Movie to Elf. He is a majorly bankable star and never seems to be too far from a project. He become famous during his stint on SNL where he starred from 1995 to 2002. “I had a wonderful seven seasons on that show, where I made lifelong friends,” he said. “I knew in that moment it would be the hardest but most fun job I would ever get to do, and I still look back on it that way” he shared. But does Will Ferrell consumer marijuana?
In a series of tweets from 2013, Ferrell humorously addressed the topic, stating, “Smoking weed doesn’t make me a bad person, just like going to church doesn’t make you a good person” and “Yes, I smoke weed. No, I am not a drug addict”. This implies he is a canna consumer. But more importantly, he is a canna fan.
Ferrell’s comments reflect a broader cultural shift towards more accepting views of marijuana use. His humor often touches on social norms and stereotypes, and his remarks about marijuana are consistent with this approach. By joking about the topic, Ferrell helps normalize the conversation around marijuana, aligning with a growing public perception that marijuana use is not necessarily indicative of addiction or moral failing.
The relationship between marijuana use and creativity, particularly in comedy, is a topic of interest. Some comedians and artists report that marijuana enhances their creativity or helps them perceive humor differently. While Ferrell has not explicitly linked marijuana to his comedic creativity, his casual attitude towards its use suggests that he may view it as a part of a relaxed lifestyle rather than a tool for creative enhancement.
known for his unique brand of humor and his ability to create memorable characters, he connects with the viewing public. In doing so, he help make cannabis acceptable.
The news announced the death of another muse – this one for The Rolling Stones – but what is a Muse?
The news today is about the passing of Marianne Faithfull, an artist and muse to The Rolling Stones? But exactly what is a muse? The label gets tossed around? But what does it really mean? They are a source of inspiration, often associated with artistic creativity. In modern times, a muse can be a person who inspires an artist, writer, or musician, often through their presence, personality, or actions.
n ancient Greek mythology, the Muses were nine sister goddesses who presided over the arts and sciences. They were believed to inspire creativity and knowledge in various fields such as literature, music, and astronomy. The Muses were named Calliope, Clio, Erato, Euterpe, Melpomene, Polyhymnia, Terpsichore, Thalia, and Urania. In modern times, a muse can be a person who inspires an artist, writer, or musician, often through their presence, personality, or actions.
They have often faced challenges, particularly women overshadowed by the artists they inspire. Many muses sacrifice their own creative pursuits to support the careers of their partners, leading to a lack of recognition and autonomy. This dynamic often resulted in muses being seen more as sources of inspiration rather than as creative individuals in their own right. It also can mean the difference financially since the artist owns the right and the muses often has not percentage of earnings.
The pressure and effort to be a muse can also be draining and tough…sometimes leading the inspiration to a destruction pattern.
Many famous artists have had muses who inspired their work. For example, Pablo Picasso had several muses, including Françoise Gilot and Dora Maar, who were also his romantic partners. The relationship between an artist and their muse can be deeply personal and collaborative, as seen in the experiences of Zoya
Some of the great muses include:
Patti Boyd – Inspired songs by Eric Clapton (“Layla,” “Wonderful Tonight”) and George Harrison (“Something”)
The Hadid Sisters – Inspired songs by artists like The Weeknd and Zayn Malik
Amber Rose – Inspired Kanye West and other rappers
Rosanna Arquette – Inspired Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” and Toto’s “Rosanna”
Elle Macpherson – The original inspiration for Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl”
Lisa Bonet – Inspired Lenny Kravitz’s “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over”
The Hadid Sisters – Inspired songs by artists like The Weeknd and Zayn Malik
Emilie Louise Flöge – Gustav Klimt’s life partner and muse, featured in his famous work The Kiss
Camille Claudel – A French sculptor and muse to Auguste Rodin, known for her own artistic talent
Gala Diakonova – The wife and muse of Salvador Dalí, often depicted in his surrealistic paintings
In the modern era, the role of the muse is being redefined. Social media platforms have democratized inspiration, allowing anyone to be a muse by sharing their creativity and experiences online. This shift has provided more opportunities for muses to express themselves and gain recognition as individuals.However, the pressures of maintaining a public image and the constant need for content creation can also lead to stress and pressure on modern muses.