A study in patients shows the benefits of magic mushrooms in depression

Can a psychedelic mushroom compound benefit people with cancer and major depression? According to the results of a clinical trial involving 28 patients, a single dose of psilocybin (a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in mushrooms) can provide sustained reductions in depression and anxiety in people with cancer who suffer from major depressive disorder.

The findings are published in the journal ' Cancer '.

People with cancer often suffer from depression. In this phase 2 trial, 28 cancer patients with major depressive disorder received psychological support from a therapist before, during, and after a single 25 mg dose of psilocybin.

During clinical interviews conducted two years later, 15 (53.6%) patients showed a significant reduction in depression , and 14 (50%) achieved a sustained reduction in depression as well as remission.

Additionally, psilocybin reduced anxiety in 12 (42.9%) patients at two years.

Researchers note that an ongoing randomized, double-blind clinical trial is evaluating up to two 25 mg doses of psilocybin versus placebo as a treatment for depression and anxiety in cancer patients.

This study is based on a single-dose study to achieve remission of depression and anxiety in a large majority of patients.

“One dose of psilocybin with psychological support to treat depression has a long-term positive impact on depression relief for up to two years in a substantial proportion of cancer patients, and we are exploring whether repeat treatment resolves depression in more than half of patients,” says senior author Manish Agrawal of Sunstone Therapies . “If randomized trials show similar results, this could lead to increased use of psilocybin to treat depression in cancer patients.”