Psilocybin: Hallucinogen in 'Magic Mushrooms' Could Pave the Way for Severe Depression Treatment

Magic mushrooms or psilocybin mushrooms have made a long way when it comes to ongoing large trials for severe depression treatment. Now, a new study made available this week suggests approval of the magic shrooms is drawing near, indicating a single-dose of psilocybin is already possible for a treatment-resistant episode of major depression.

Depression or major depressive disorder has been known as a common yet serious mental ailment, negatively affecting people's mood, emotion, thought, and even motivation in life. For years, scientists have been experimenting on "magic mushrooms" which contains the hallucinogen psilocybin to mitigate or cure the medical illness, as well as its more dangerous state called severe depression.

Magic Mushrooms Developments

(Photo : Photo by GUILLAUME SOUVANT/AFP via Getty Images)

With these attempts comes the long-held evidence that magic mushrooms can potentially serve as a treatment for depression. Clinical trials on the 'magic fungus' have already started in recent years, which were also covered by Nature World News. During this period, promising results were shown by the progress of the theoretical knowledge and practical applications of these hallucinogenic mushrooms.

The findings and update about the ongoing large trial of magic mushrooms toward a severe depression treatment was published in the journal The New England Journal of Medicine on Thursday, November. Lead author Dr. Guy Goodwin, a chief medical officer ate Compass Pathways, stated the trial is currently on Phase 3 in consultation with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval.

The current phase examines psilocybin for usage in treatment-resistant depression. The results yield there was reduced depression scores in more than 1 milligram of dosage to participants in a period of more than three weeks. A total of 79 participants with treatment-resistant depression joined the study.

Also Read: This Mushroom Might "Magically" Cure Depression Without Side Effect

What is Depression?

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), depression symptoms can range from mild to severe and can include the following emotional or physiological signs:

•  state of sadness or depressed mood
•  loss of interest in activities
•  extreme weight gain or loss
•  oversleeping or lack of sleep
•  increased fatigue
•  thoughts of death or suicide

The APA states symptoms of depression must last at least two weeks and show a significant change in previous level of functioning for a depression diagnosis to take place. In addition, medical conditions like thyroid problem, brain tumor, or vitamin deficiency can copy or mimic depression symptoms.

Furthermore, there are also instances where bipolar disorder or bipolar disease, which causes a person to experience mood swings with emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and emotional lows (depression). according to Mayo Clinic.

Anti-Depression Mushroom Trial

Various reports have interpreted the latest developments in the trial study that the mushroom drug psilocybin can treat depression; wherein a single treatment of the synthetic magic mushroom contains the hallucinogen which is a mind-changing ingredient.

The reports highlighted the improved depression in people affected with a treatment-resistant form of the disease. Experts in the field have reportedly found the new research and its findings to be promising.

The scientists involved in the research found a dose effect and clinically meaningful improvement in just three weeks, according to Dr. Matthew Johnson, a professor at Johns Hopkins Medicine, who was not involved in the new study, as cited by CNN.

Related Article: Magic Mushroom Compound Can Be the Future Treatment for Depression