LONDON: A single dose of psilocybin, the active compound found in “magic mushrooms,” may provide significant relief from depression symptoms, according to a new study.
The research, led by King’s College London, involved people whose depression had not improved after at least two previous treatments.
Participants were given a single dose of psilocybin along with psychological support. The findings showed that some patients experienced a significant reduction in depression symptoms, with around four in 10 participants reaching a level considered remission.
One participant described the treatment experience as deeply emotional, saying they visualised an image of their late father and sister during the session, which helped them better understand their emotions and struggles with depression.
The participant said the experience was intense and at times painful, but later felt it helped them process and understand their emotions more deeply.
Researchers at King’s College London said the study aimed to assess the effectiveness, safety and feasibility of psilocybin-assisted therapy, particularly for people with treatment-resistant depression.
Experts said the results were encouraging but stressed that larger and longer-term clinical trials are still needed before psilocybin can be considered a routine treatment for depression.
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Previous research by King’s College London has also reported reductions in depression symptoms following psilocybin-assisted therapy, though researchers have called for further rigorous studies to confirm its benefits and potential risks.
