On Friday March 17th 2023, The Shroom Room opened its first location in the trendiest part of the city; Queen Street West. This marks Toronto’s third opening of a magic mushrooms dispensary. Located at 1194 Queen Street West, The Shroom Room is currently listed as a medical dispensary with the purpose of making an essential contribution to improving their community.
Speaking to the President of The Shroom Room, identified as Ralph, he stated that it was his organization’s goal to provide people with medicinal mushrooms with the intention of improving their lives.
He strategically chose the location which is in close proximity to the Centre of Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH); which is the leading hospital from Mental Health in Canada.
Mental health is a collective issue, not an isolated one. As such, it requires a comprehensive solution that works to support the needs of society as a whole. The Shroom Room stands by the therapeutic potential of magic mushrooms to heal mental health conditions. Research has suggested that psilocybin can help alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, addiction, PTSD, and numerous other mental health conditions. It is thought to work by promoting neuroplasticity, increasing connectivity in the brain, and altering patterns of thought and perception.
Users have reported the “undoing” of years of trauma, and breaking down shackles of anxiety, and reportedly becoming free. Shroom users have also reported that the effects of a single magic mushroom experience can provide significant healing, contrary to today’s traditional forms of mental health treatment, that at times has been compared to putting a bandage on a wound. There are also accounts suggesting that psilocybin mushrooms could be a key to healing from within, pushing oneself deeper into the source of trauma and enabling profound self-reflection.
Mental health needs to be treated with a holistic approach, and it is clear that the current mental health measures in place are not enough. Canadians have been underserved and have gone without the help they need for long enough. The Shroom Rooms does not attribute mushrooms with being the absolute cure, but they do believe the benefits are far too great to be ignored and not utilized.
“We intend not only to provide mushrooms, we intend to advocate for the betterment of humanity and mental health”, says Ralph.
Over the recent years Canadians have become more aware of the benefits of mushrooms, the research and clinical trials have shown ground breaking results. The government has decided “to not ignore this” and Health Canada has begun exploring this, and has provided a limited amount of people with access to it through the Special Access Program (SAP).
Unsurprisingly, the approach that the government has taken is slow and is plagued by red tape; posing a plethora of barriers to access. “Simply put, the SAP is failing Canadians in terms of being able to access the help they need. We are looking to bridge that, and we are looking to ensure that the principals of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms are met; which is equal access to help and treatment”, President of The Shroom Room states.
Simply put, the SAP is failing Canadians in terms of being able to access the help they need. We are looking to bridge that, and we are looking to ensure that the principals of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms are met; which is equal access to help and treatment”, President of The Shroom Room states.
Microdosing has become a popular practice in recent years. It includes consuming tiny amounts of psilocybin – the active ingredient found in magic mushrooms – to achieve improved cognitive performance, heightened creativity and an increased sense of overall well-being without having an intense trip experience.
Therapeutic potential of microdosing include:
- Improved mood and emotional regulation
- Increased focus and creativity
- Enhanced mindfulness and spiritual experiences
- Reduced anxiety and depression symptoms
- Improved social connections and empathy
The Shroom Room owners claim they are aware of the extensive research into both the therapeutic potential and the risks associated with shrooms. Their aim is to make their dispensary a hub for education and information about medicinal mushrooms.
The Shroom Room offers an array of strains of magic mushrooms, chocolate bites, chocolate bars, gummies, tea, microdose capsules, as well as various other products being tested for production.
Disclaimer: Psychedelic Spotlight does not condone the use of illegal substances. The purpose of this article is for educational and harm reduction purposes only. If you suffer from a medical or mental condition, please consult with your doctor before taking any substance.
