If you’ve seen the movie The King’s Speech, you know the answer is yes. The film depicts King George VI of England struggling with this speech disorder and overcoming it before ascending the throne. In fact, several celebrities have achieved this feat. Bruce Willis, Joe Biden, Marilyn Monroe, and Julia Roberts all struggled with stuttering and eventually overcame it. While many therapeutic methods already exist, psilocybin mushrooms also show promising results—even if you’re not royalty!
What’s the link between mushrooms and stuttering?
Magic mushrooms are pushing the boundaries of scientific research. They are gradually emerging as promising therapeutic tools, with their potential applications continually evolving.
Ten years ago, researchers were discussing their potential to treat depression. Then came their use in tackling alcoholism. Today, scientific studies are exploring their effects on anorexia, diabetes, and sexual desire disorders.
Yet, psychedelic compounds have not revealed all their secrets. Scientists are beginning to study their effects on stuttering. One hypothesis suggests that these substances might provide relief for individuals who stutter.
This is significant, as approximately 3 million people in the USA are affected by this speech fluency disorder.
Does psilocybin treat stuttering?
It’s hard to say definitively. However, there are testimonials that point in this direction. Every psychedelic journey is unique, and so are its effects. In some cases, consuming hallucinogenic mushrooms or magic truffles may lead to improvements in:
- Speech fluency;
- Anxiety related to public speaking;
- Acceptance of stuttering;
- Fear of stuttering.
An inspiring experience
Paul Stamets, a leading figure in mycology and psilocybin microdosing, once suffered from a pronounced stutter. Like many, this condition undermined his confidence and social interactions.
As a young adult, he decided to try psychedelic mushrooms for the first time—without any specific therapeutic intention or awareness that it could impact his stuttering. Stamets found himself in nature, observing a thunderstorm on the horizon.
In this altered state of consciousness, he spontaneously began a mental repetition exercise, akin to a mantra. He repeated an affirming phrase: “I will not stutter anymore.” This moment marked a turning point in his life.
A diminished stutter
According to Paul Stamets, this unique experience led to a notable reduction in his stuttering, almost to the point of its disappearance. He immediately put this “miraculous recovery” to use by doing what most young men would likely do: talking to girls!
He describes this change as a sort of “reset” for his brain’s neural circuits. Psilocybin may have enhanced his brain’s plasticity, allowing it to forge new pathways. However, research has yet to advance enough to confirm this hypothesis.
An American study
The journey to treating stuttering with psilocybin begins at New York University. Researchers from the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development published a study in the Journal of Fluency Disorders.
They noted several reports on the positive effects of psychedelics. These renowned studies primarily focused on anxiety-related conditions or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
According to the researchers, these conditions “share certain symptoms with stuttering. […] Thus, these substances could represent an intriguing avenue for reducing symptoms.”
Exploring online narratives
To advance their work, scientists turned to an unexpected source: Reddit. Known for its diverse and engaged communities, the platform provided a wealth of user testimonials. Between 2012 and 2022, researchers collected and analyzed posts from 104 distinct users.
All these posts included keywords related to speech, stuttering, and psychedelics. To ensure the study’s focus, they excluded other substances such as ecstasy or ayahuasca.
The researchers categorized the contributions into five key areas based on reported effects:
- Behavior: changes in habits;
- Emotions: mood regulation or altered states;
- Cognition: mental flexibility and introspection;
- Beliefs: shifts in spiritual or philosophical perspectives;
- Sociability: feelings of connection and empathy.
A generally positive outcome
The analysis revealed an encouraging trend:
- 74% of testimonials reported positive effects after using psychedelics, particularly on behavior and emotions.
- Nearly half mentioned significant improvements in speech fluency. One user stated, “Psilocybin was key not only in improving how I speak but also in helping me understand myself better and redefine my outlook on life.”
However, 10% of accounts described negative experiences, including unpleasant side effects, anxiety, or temporary perceptual disturbances.
Key findings from the study on psilocybin’s effects on stuttering
| Effects | Proportion |
|---|---|
| Positive | 74% |
| Neutral | 11.6% |
| Mixed | 4.8% |
| Negative | 9.6% |
The importance of guidance
One striking observation is that individuals who tried psilocybin for stuttering did so without professional supervision. Left to their own devices, they lacked guidance from psychiatrists or facilitators. Yet, preparation and integration are known to play significant roles in the outcome of a psychedelic experience.
The concept of “set and setting” emphasizes the importance of a supportive environment. Pre-trip discussions and a sense of safety during the experience can help minimize discomfort.
This is precisely the value of psychedelic retreats or assisted therapy, which offer professional guidance to ensure a positive journey.
Caution and methodology
While these prospects are promising, caution is warranted. The data is limited, and the conditions under which substances were taken are unclear. Variables such as dosage, medical contraindications, and other factors must also be considered.
According to the researchers, the “results suggest that psychedelics could play a role in managing stuttering, warranting further investigation.”
In the near future, these scientists plan to conduct rigorous, randomized clinical trials. Their protocols will include professional supervision, a crucial step in turning these promises into tangible solutions.
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Stuttering and brain activity
The speech motor pathway
Stuttering remains poorly understood, but medical research has identified some key processes.
In people who stutter, the brain shows abnormalities in connectivity and activity, particularly in areas related to speech motor control. These regions, responsible for movements of the vocal cords, tongue, and mouth muscles, appear to have reduced blood flow.
The default mode network
Other studies highlight imbalances in the brain’s default mode network (DMN). This cognitive function is involved in internal mental processes like daydreaming, self-reflection, and autobiographical memory—activities that don’t require active awareness.
The DMN orchestrates our mental “autopilot.” When disrupted, it complicates mental processes, affecting the balance between thought, action, and emotion.
This imbalance can exacerbate social anxiety, a key factor in maintaining and worsening stuttering. Magic mushrooms are thought to reduce DMN hyperactivity, potentially alleviating its effects on rumination associated with social anxiety and depression.
While much remains to be discovered, psychedelics promise to open up numerous avenues for further exploration.
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