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Mushrooms + Romance: A New Way to Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Embarking on a romantic trip with a partner doesn’t mean you need a plane ticket — in fact, the most memorable getaway can be just as achievable from the comfort of your own living room.
Ever had a deep heart to heart with your loved one? Did it bring tears? Did it make you feel all warm and fuzzy? Well, blame it on those bonding neurons and emotions, pumping out oxytocin and other feel-good hormones. Aka, the magic of being in love.
Excitingly, psilocybin might just be the catalyst in allowing these moments to happen more often — to a level of depth unlike ever before.
When we experience a moment of deep connection with a partner, we get a sweet taste of what we might call a neurochemical cocktail, composed of equal parts dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins that allow the joy of these connective moments to occur.
Not only do these moments feel extra great in the moment, but they may also have a lasting impact on our health and well-being. They can lower stress, boost our mood, help us sleep better, among other qualities that help us strengthen our special relationships.
Elevating your Date Night with Magic
Psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, produces an array of unique and vibrant effects. From visual hallucinations to full-body and auditory sensations, the possibilities are virtually endless when it comes to mystical fungi and the experiences they induce.
With Valentine’s day rapidly approaching, let’s explore the more romantic side of magic mushrooms, more specifically, how they might just be waiting to take your relationship to the next level.
We can break down the amorous qualities of psilocybin into three parts:
- Emotional Intimacy
- Sensory Sharing
- The Power of Reconnection
Emotional Intimacy:
Whilst planning your Valentine’s celebrations, a nice dinner and a bouquet of flowers might be first on the cards. But what if you could give your partner a portal into emotional intimacy? Talk about a gift to remember.
Emotional intimacy is the sharing of innermost thoughts and feelings, done with another person in a way that is nurturing, safe, and understanding.
Otherwise known as having a heart-to-heart, engaging in this form of intimacy allows you to get to know your partner on a deeper level, creating stronger, more resilient bonds.
When we spend everyday with someone, we might think to ourselves: “what is there to know about my partner, I talk to them everyday!” In reality, getting to re-meet your partner, no matter the duration of your relationship, is like opening a treasure chest full of opportunities — one of them being getting to meet the person you feel in love with all over again.
However, factors such as inhibitions, fear of judgment, and emotional defensiveness can make it feel difficult to open the emotional flood-gates full swing, but luckily, mushroom moguls may have found the trick to help open that door.
The Amygdala Effect: Psilocybin, aka, magic mushrooms, affect the emotional centers of the brain, such as the amygdala, which is involved in processing emotions. Studies suggest that psilocybin can decrease amygdala reactivity to negative stimuli, which might help individuals approach emotionally charged topics with less fear or anxiety.
When amygdala activity is reduced, individuals are less likely to experience emotional defensiveness, creating a heightened willingness to take part in emotionally intimate conversations. This same reduction can bring upon elevated levels of empathy, offering a greater capacity to see things from your partner’s perspective.
With the amygdala’s reduced focus on negative emotions, there’s more room for positive feelings to flourish! Couples might find themselves feeling more joy, love, and appreciation for each other, prompting positive outcomes that sustain long beyond Valentine’s day.
Bye Bye Ego: One of the most profound effects induced by magic mushrooms is the experience of ego dissolution – the loss of boundaries between self and others, producing a feeling of oneness and connectedness with the universe where we no longer feel that our being is distinct.
While the thought of ego-dissolution can be off-putting for some, we don’t have to experience a full-blown “ego-death” to experience the benefits of a temporarily dissolved or softened ego.
When it comes to emotional intimacy with a partner, even a partial softening of the ego can be beneficial. This newfound state of ego can foster a sense of unity and shared experience, where the lines between ‘you’ and ‘I’ blur into a more cohesive ‘we’ — enabling a deeper sense of connection and togetherness with your significant other as you simply listen, absorb, and feel.
While a dissolved ego state is temporary, the feelings and conversations that are reaped when in an ego-softened state can be long-lasting, imprinting a lasting memory and heartfelt impact on the relationship.
Facilitating Emotional Intimacy on Mushrooms: This all sounds great, right? Pop a dose of mushrooms, lose yourself in an emotional rondez-vous, what more could a couple pining for deep love ask for? Though it’s a lovely concept, it’s also important to be flexible and simply go with the flow!
Sometimes, just lying on the floor, giggling at the ceiling can be more emotionally healing than anything else. So, begin with a low dose, see how you feel, and only consider increasing it if you think it’s needed, ensuring both you and your partner stay comfortable throughout the entire experience.
You can also find joy in staging the perfect environment together! Think blankets, warm lighting, art supplies, your favorite music – allowing the rest to come naturally.
Sensory Sharing:
When it comes to indulging in a romantic getaway without leaving the comfort of your home, sensory sharing is one way to do it.
With the help of mushrooms, you and your partner can enjoy life’s simplicities in a more profound way, in a way that makes colors appear brighter, sounds become more vivid, and sensations are the catalyst for a beautiful Valentine’s day to remember.
Enhanced Sensories: Through their unique effect on our serotonin receptors, psilocybin can both alter and enhance our sensory experiences. Couples might report more vivid visual experiences, enhanced sounds, or a different perception of touch – all due to the way these substances temporarily rewire brain activity and sensory processing.
Enhanced Touch: Under the influence of psychedelics, a mere hand-hold or gentle hug transcends into profound expressions of love, revealing depths of affection often overlooked in daily life.
Exploring Beauty: Within this deep sensory exploration, couples might find themselves rediscovering the beauty in the world around them and also in each other.
Shared Experience: Emphasis on the term “shared”! Experiencing the world from a new, more vibrant lens together can be an incredibly bonding experience. It’s a gift beyond the usual – a gift of seeing and feeling the world, and each other, in a refreshed and magical way.
Remember, setting is key! Enhance your sensory journey in a warm, safe, and inviting environment.
The Power of Reconnection:
Reconnection means peeling back routine to rediscover the magic in your relationship. Magic mushrooms can reignite that initial spark on Valentine’s Day, taking you back to the moments that first kindled your love.
Rediscovering Each Other: In our daily routines, it’s easy to forget the little things that make our partners so special. Psilocybin can dissolve these mundane veils, allowing you to see your partner with a fresh set of eyes. It’s like reliving the first date, the first laugh, the first kiss – but with the depth and understanding that comes with the time you’ve shared.
Celebrating Your Journey: This Valentine’s Day becomes more than just a celebration of love; it’s a celebration of your journey together! Each deep belly laugh, each tear, each moment of awe under the influence of psilocybin becomes a memory to hold dear to the heart, making Valentine’s day resonate deeper with each year to come.
Setting a New Path: As the effects of the mushrooms fade, the experiences and revelations remain. You’re not just going back to ‘normal’; you step into a new relationship phase, enriched with deeper understanding, renewed appreciation, and countless moments of joy to treasure.
Here are some beautiful Reddit reads/testimonials from other couples who have found success in shared mushroom trips:
https://www.reddit.com/r/shrooms/comments/xugd2d/my_partner_and_i_took_shrooms_together_yesterday/
