Psilocybin, a chemical found in magic mushrooms, reduced symptoms of major depression.
A single dose of psilocybin in combination with psychotherapy may provide “rapid, strong and sustained relief” of symptoms of severe depression, according to a new study.
Patients across the country were given either 25 mg of the drug in magic mushrooms or B vitamins before spending 7 to 10 hours with a therapist. We were encouraged to cover our eyes and listen to a curated playlist during the session.
They were then invited to discuss their experiences with the same therapist. Depression levels were measured by him 5 times during her 43 days before and after treatment.
The study found that participants who received psilocybin showed “clinically significant reductions in depressive symptoms” and performed significantly better than those who received the vitamin as a placebo. The effect was maintained for the next six weeks, according to a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
This study adds to the body of evidence that psychedelics can help patients open up and engage with their therapists on topics they tend to avoid or repress.
“Psilocybin treatment was associated with sustained relief of clinically significant depressive symptoms and functional impairment without serious adverse events,” the researchers concluded. “These findings add to the evidence that psilocybin, when administered with psychological support, may hold promise as a new intervention for major depressive disorder.”
In July, Australia became the first country in the world to approve the use of MDMA, also known as ecstasy or magic mushrooms, and psilocybin to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and treatment-resistant depression.
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