Psilocybin research is still in its infancy – from the perspective of Western medicine.
The use of magic mushrooms dates back tens of thousands of years and has never been a trivial matter. Mushrooms are revered as a sacred healing remedy in many cultures and clearly have a unique effect on the human psyche.
They help people overcome addictions, recover from debilitating depression and anxiety, and can even change the minds of patients with suicidal thoughts.
The Johns Hopkins Institute has recently dedicated an entire wing to studying the impact of psilocybin. And whilst the internet is abuzz with anecdotal success stories, the official statement is:
“Current results are highly promising; more research is needed.”
Research into psilocybin has revealed mind-blowing potential for treating mental health conditions such as:
- depression
- anxiety
- substance addiction
- PTSD
- disconnection and a sense of abandonment
- train-track linear thinking
Despite this, further research is needed to fully understand its effects and to determine the optimal dosages and administration methods. Psilocybin is not currently a well-regulated substance in many countries around the world, making research into it challenging. However, recent efforts to reclassify psilocybin and relax restrictions on research may help advance our understanding of this compound and its therapeutic potential.
List of significant psilocybin studies
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2006 – Mystical-type experiences
Psilocybin can induce mystical experiences very similar to those reported to have occurred spontaneously among mystics throughout history. Most participants described them as being among the most personally meaningful and spiritually significant experiences of their lives.
Roland Griffiths @ Johns Hopkins Institute
Psilocybin administered to healthy individuals was found to be pleasurable, enriching and non-threatening. Negative effects can be mitigated by social support.
Studerus, a paper presenting pooled data from 8 studies and a total of 110 healthy volunteers
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2015 – Treating alcohol addiction
Psilocybin shows great promise in treating addiction. For alcoholism, it appears that outcomes (sustained abstinence) are linked to the intensity of the experience.
Bogenshutz, Strassman
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2016 – Challenging experiences
Although mushrooms are among the safest of substances, they can produce challenging experiences. However, 84% of people, looking back, say these experiences were of great benefit to their lives.
Carbonaro, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
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2017 – Smoking addiction
Psilocybin shows great promise in the treatment of addiction.
Twelve months after the experience, 67% of participants were completely smoke-free, whilst 86.7% rated the experience as one of the most meaningful of their lives.
Johnson, Garcia-Romeu, Roland Griffiths @ Johns Hopkins Institute
Consuming magic mushrooms in a retreat setting may help bring about a shift in consciousness over time, from separation to connection.
Creative thinking, empathy and life satisfaction were all perceived to have improved in the following week.
Natasha Mason, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience @ Maastricht University
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2018 – Connection with nature
During a study testing the efficacy against treatment-resistant depression, participants noted that they felt more connected to nature up to a year later. They also noted feeling less prone to authoritarian views.
Lyons, Carhart-Harris @ Journal of Psychopharmacology
Efficacy of psilocybin against severe, unipolar, treatment-resistant depression, in combination with psychological support: 31 per cent of participants reported antidepressant effects six months after the experience.
No patients sought conventional antidepressant treatment within five weeks of taking psilocybin.
Carhart-Harris, Nutt @ Journal of Psychopharmacology
Psychedelic integration, particularly when combined with spiritual practices such as meditation or journaling, brings about lasting changes in prosocial values and behaviour, whilst promoting healthy psychological functioning.
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Taking psilocybin mushrooms in a retreat setting can improve the lives of healthy people, even at lower doses.
Mason
In three separate studies, existential anxiety in terminally ill cancer patients appears to be alleviated by a single psilocybin experience, with highly enduring benefits. A follow-up study of surviving NYU participants, conducted four and a half years later, reported sustained antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects, with participants describing their experiences as among the most profoundly meaningful of their lives.
UCLA, Johns Hopkins and NYU
Related study links:
Please note that this list is updated regularly.
Other mushroom-related facts and studies
The impact of a dose does NOT depend on body weight or height:
BMI does not predict responses to psilocybin
Psilocybin can improve satisfaction with one’s sex life:
Psychedelics and sexual functioning
Mushroom microdosing can improve mood and mental health