Psilocybin In Magic Mushroom Holds Promise In Treating Depression

A hallucinogenic compound found in magic mushrooms may offer a new way in finding a cure for depression according to a new study in The Lancet Psychiatry. Patients no longer suffer from depression after ingesting magic mushrooms.

Depression symptoms: low energy, constant boredom, lack of motivation, poor communication, social isolation, & low self-esteem.

— Did You Know? (@engrossingfacts) May 18, 2016

Psilocybin Compound

A small feasibility trial, involving 12 patients who have treatment-resistant depression, reveal that the compound psilocybin helped reduce symptoms of depression in half of the participants at three months post-treatment, Science Daily reported. Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic compound found in magic mushrooms. The findings show that five of the patients were still free of depression after three months

Researchers, however, are first to admit that the findings are not conclusive although promising. They warn that strong conclusion cannot be made about the therapeutic benefits of magic mushrooms. More research about psilocybin and depression is needed.

Treatment-Resistant Depression

In the pilot study, nine of the patients were diagnosed with severe depression while three were diagnosed with moderate depression according to BBC News. In one of the patients, the symptoms had lasted for 30 years. All of the patients were carefully screened and given psychological support prior, during and after the intervention.

All of the patients tried at least two different treatments with no success. In fact, one of them tried 11 different treatments.

For safety, the researchers initially gave patients a low dose of psilocybin. Eventually, the patients were given high doses, which are equivalent to a lot of mushrooms.

The psychedelic experience was said to last up to six hours, reaching its climax after two hours. The psychedelic experience was accompanied by classical music after which, psychological support followed.

Effects Of The Psilocybin

Most patients exhibit a huge decrease in their symptoms, however, there were side effects including anxiety, nausea and headaches. Researchers noted though that a huge difference in the symptoms is very promising. Larger trials are now needed to know the long-term benefits of psilocybin.

"We are simply saying that this is doable," Robin Carhart-Harris, a neuropsychopharmacologist at Imperial College London and first author of the study, told Nature. "We can give psilocybin to depressed patients, they can tolerate it, and it is safe," Arstechnica quoted.

Do you think psilocybin holds the key to cure depression? Hit us up with your comments. To know more about depression, check out the video below: