Psychotherapy is often shunned by religious people in favor of pastoral advising. Pastors and religious elders have a wealth of life experience and are usually well-intentioned, but in a specialized society, they fall far below the counseling standards of experience and expertise obtained by psychotherapists. While qualified to advise on religious matters or provide one or two interventional sessions, pastors and elders are not qualified to counsel individuals needing mental health or relationship support. Let's examine the reasons.

This article reviews recent research on the nature, benefits, and history of psilocybe mushrooms, psilocybin, and psilocin processes. In short, psilocybe mushrooms and their active chemical compound, psilocybin, are safe for consumption (in safe environments), non-addictive, and have a variety of benefits, including improving socialization and seeming to help heal several psychological disorders. We will also look at research that can help individuals “predict” their trip and explain the decriminalization rationale. We’ll end with recommendations for advocacy, education, and respect for the law. (I’ll also cite everything for further research and legal reasons.)