A small amount of psilocybin can relieve depression for an extended period, according to a new study published in JAMA. Annalisa Merelli reports in Stat News that psilocybin could be a promising treatment for people suffering from depression, for whom antidepressants and psychiatric counseling are not helpful.
Earlier research had found that psilocybin, found in some mushrooms, can lead to fast improvements in people’s mental health. This new study looks at the effects of a small dose of psilocybin on people with major depressive disorder as long as six weeks after taking one dose of the drug. The findings strongly suggest psilocybin, in combination with psychological support, can be used to treat major depression.
Psilocybin apparently lets the brain be rewired, helping people let go of old beliefs and memories and allowing them to better handle their emotions.
The researchers studied 104 people between the ages of 21 and 65, giving half of them psilocybin and the other half a placebo. They also looked at the safety of taking a 25 mg dose of psilocybin in their phase 2 trial. They studied participants over an 18-month period. And, all participants received psychotherapy before, during and after the trial.
The researchers found clinically significant lessening of depressive symptoms and functional disability within eight days of receiving the psilocybin. They found no serious side effects. Trial participants did experience headaches, nausea and stomach aches.
While psilocybin remains an illegal drug under federal law, some states are beginning to take a different view of some psychedelics for medicinal purposes. Colorado recently legalized medicinal psychedelics.
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