Magic Mushroom Hallucinogens Help Alleviate Anxiety in Depression Patients

University College London Research Team Conducts Clinical Trial on 233 Participants from Europe and North America
Increases Probability of Psychotherapy Success... Additional Research Needed to Enhance Durability

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Kyung-mi] A study has found that the hallucinogenic compounds in mushrooms can alleviate anxiety in patients with depression. Administering psilocybin, the hallucinogenic compound found in Magic Mushrooms, can significantly reduce the anxiety experienced by patients with depression.

Dr. Ravi Das of University College London, who participated in the clinical trial, explained, "Experimental results show that a drug derived from the compounds in hallucinogenic mushrooms can improve severe depression symptoms for up to 12 weeks," adding, "A 25mg psilocybin pill induces a dreamlike state in patients, increasing the likelihood of successful psychotherapy."

Of course, attention must be paid to side effects. Dr. Das stated, "Short-term side effects may include feelings of fear, so patients need to be monitored (by those around them)," and added, "Additional follow-up studies are necessary to address this issue."

Researchers at University College London conducted clinical trials on adults with an average age of 40 who had suffered from severe depression for over a year. They tested doses of 1mg, 10mg, and 25mg on a total of 233 participants from 10 countries in Europe and North America, with 25mg showing the best results. One in three participants was no longer diagnosed with depression after three weeks, and one in five showed significant improvement after 12 weeks.

Dr. James Rucker, the lead researcher and consulting psychiatrist, said, "This drug is thought to act directly on the brain, making it more flexible and providing an opportunity for treatment," adding, "Patients lying on beds in calm rooms experienced a hallucinogenic 'trip' lasting 6 to 8 hours."

However, according to Dr. Rucker, there are questions about the persistence of the effects. While psilocybin may offer a potential alternative to antidepressants prescribed for decades, its effects may begin to fade after 12 weeks. Dr. Rucker said, "Medications for depression require treatment and follow-up periods much longer than 12 weeks," and added, "A larger trial scheduled to begin soon will study how many doses are needed to prevent relapse of depression, and it may take three years before the drug is approved."

Meanwhile, hallucinogenic mushrooms are a polyphyletic group of fungi containing psilocybin and psilocin compounds. Genera containing psilocybin include Psilocybe, Panaeolus, Copelandia, Gymnopilus, Pluteus, and others. Hallucinogenic mushrooms have been used in religious rituals since ancient times. In modern times, they are regulated as narcotics in most countries.