Magic Mushrooms Move One Step Closer to Treating Depression

A recent phase 1 clinical trial, led by researchers from King’s College London and mental healthcare company COMPASS Pathways, has assessed the safety of psilocybin – “the stuff that puts the ‘magic’ in magic mushrooms” – IFLScience.com reported. The team found there were no adverse effects, which researchers believe is another step toward developing a psilocybin-based treatment for depression.

 

These researchers carried out a randomized placebo-controlled phase 1 trial of psilocybin that included just under 90 healthy volunteers divided into three groups who received either 10 milligrams of the drug, 25 milligrams, or a placebo.

 

While the participants who received psilocybin did experience changes in their sensory perception and some experienced a boost in mood, none reported negative effects on cognitive function or emotional state.   

 

“This is the largest controlled study of psilocybin to date. The results of the study are clinically reassuring and support further development of psilocybin as a treatment for patients with mental health problems that haven’t improved with conventional therapy, such as treatment-resistant depression,” Dr. James Rucker, lead investigator of the study and consultant psychiatrist and senior clinical lecturer in psychopharmacology at King’s College London, said in a statement. 

 

In addition to potentially treating depression, there have been a number of scientific studies over the past few years that have also indicated this drug could help people kick addictions such as smoking or drinking.

 

“We are focused on getting psilocybin therapy safely to as many patients who would benefit from it as possible, Dr. Ekaterina Malievskaia, chief innovation officer and co-founder at COMPASS Pathways. “We are grateful to the many pioneering research institutions whose work over the years has helped to demonstrate the potential of psilocybin in medicine.”