A small pilot study has found that psilocybin, the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms, may improve not only mood but also cognitive and motor symptoms in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The results surprised the research team, who initially aimed only to evaluate the drug’s safety. Instead, participants experienced noticeable improvements that lasted for weeks following a single high-dose session. The findings, published in Neuropsychopharmacology, mark the first time a psychedelic has been tested in people with any neurodegenerative disease.
Parkinson’s disease is best known for its motor symptoms, including tremor, stiffness, and slowed movement. But many people with the disease also struggle with depression and anxiety, which often begin years before motor symptoms appear. These mood issues are not just emotionally distressing—they are strongly linked to faster physical decline and worse overall quality of life. Standard treatments for depression and anxiety, such as antidepressants, are often less effective in people with Parkinson’s, making the search for new therapeutic options especially urgent.
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound that is converted in the body into psilocin, which interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain. Studies in major depression and anxiety linked to terminal illness have shown that even a single dose of psilocybin, when paired with psychotherapy, can lead to rapid and long-lasting improvements in mood. Scientists believe the drug may help the brain form new neural connections, a property referred to as neuroplasticity. These effects may be particularly relevant for people with Parkinson’s disease, who exhibit disrupted serotonin signaling, inflammation, and loss of neural connectivity—all factors that may contribute to both mood and motor symptoms.
Given the complex neurobiology of Parkinson’s and concerns about possible drug interactions and psychosis risk, the research team at the University of California, San Francisco set out to test the safety and tolerability of psilocybin in this population. They enrolled 12 participants between the ages of 40 and 75, all of whom had mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease and met diagnostic criteria for depression or anxiety. People with significant cognitive impairment, active psychosis, or other medical risks were excluded from the trial. Most participants were already being treated with levodopa, the most common medication for managing motor symptoms of Parkinson’s.
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