Psilocybin, the key component found in psychedelic mushrooms might just help in the treatment of depression, a study published in the journal Nature Medicine has found.
The findings from the study conducted by UC San Francisco (UCSF) and Imperial College London show that intake of psilocybin rewires the brain, loosening up the tight connections that formed as a result of depression. It also increased connections to other parts of the brain, which were otherwise not well-integrated. Participants displayed fewer tendencies to avoid emotions and showed improved cognitive functioning.
The study comprised almost 60 people diagnosed with depression who were administered psilocybin. Researchers took fMRI scans of their brains before and after the treatment. Analysis of the scans post-treatment showed considerable improvement not just during the treatment but for up to three weeks thereafter.
In previous studies we had seen a similar effect in the brain when people were scanned whilst on a psychedelic, but here we’re seeing it weeks after treatment for depression, which suggests a carry-over of the acute drug action, says Robin Carhart-Harris, Director, The Neuroscape Psychedelics Division at UCSF
What is psilocybin?
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring compound in more than 200 species of mushrooms, popularly known as ‘magic mushrooms’ for their psychedelic effects. They have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, and in more recent times, psilocybin has been incorporated into healing processes for mental health issues.
Psychedelic-assisted therapy has shown much promise in recent times in the Western world with researchers studying the effects of psilocybin and MDMA, which is better known as ecstasy. Several studies, similar to the UCSF-Imperial College London study, have come up with encouraging results.
However, researchers do caution and advise against self-medicating with psilocybin or any other psychedelic substances as studies take place under controlled conditions.
