Tag: magic mushrooms

Just one single dose of ‘magic mushrooms’ could relieve depression for 5 years, researchers find

Psilocybin, the main psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms, could alleviate depression for at least five years after just one dose, according to a new study.

The research, presented June 18 at the Psychedelic Science 2025 conference in Denver, followed up with patients who had been diagnosed with clinical depression — also known as major depressive disorder (MDD) — and had participated in a previous psilocybin treatment study in 2020.

“Most people who participated in our trial reported improvements in depression symptom intensity or in the ways in which they experienced depression in their life, lasting up to five years after the trial,” study co-author Alan Davis, director of the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education at The Ohio State University, told Fox News Digital.

Doug Drysdale, CEO of the Canadian pharmaceutical company Cybin in Toronto, Ontario, told Fox News Digital that the outcome speaks to the “exciting” potential of psilocybin and other psychedelic-based treatments in treating MDD and other mental health conditions.

“The results of the study are certainly very encouraging,” said Drysdale, who was not involved in the study.

Earlier studies pointed toward the possibility of psilocybin as a potential antidepressant, prompting researchers to conduct the first-ever randomized clinical trial.

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Colorado Healing Center Facilitates First Psilocybin Session Under Voter-Approved Psychedelics Legalization Law

For the first time, a Colorado patient has taken a legal supervised dose of psilocybin under the state’s natural medicine program. That’s according to the The Center Origin, which in April became the state’s first licensed healing center as part of a buildout of the voter-approved system that was completed last month.

“Big news,” the facility’s CEO and founder, Elizabeth Cooke, said on social media on Sunday. “Last week, we held our very first psilocybin session for psychedelic-assisted healing.”

“A milestone moment is here and a new chapter in healing has begun!” she wrote. “This marks the beginning of our work offering safe, intentional, and transformative psychedelic-assisted healing experiences to those seeking deeper growth and restoration.”

Colorado regulators last month certified the first testing laboratory for the natural medicine program, putting the final piece of the state’s psychedelic infrastructure in place.

Following that step, Gov. Jared Polis (D) announced that the second-in-the-nation state psychedelics program was “fully launched for operations.”

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Iowa Governor Vetoes Bill To Let Doctors Prescribe Psilocybin After Federal Approval Of The Psychedelic

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) has vetoed a bill that would have allowed doctors in the state to immediately prescribe a form of psilocybin in the event of federal approval of the psychedelic substance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Reynolds, who announced her veto of a number of bills on Wednesday, said the lawmaker-approved legislation “surrenders state authority to make an informed determination about classification to federal officials at the FDA.”

The measure, HF 383, passed the Senate in April on a 47–0 vote after clearing the House 92–0 in February. If enacted, it would have reclassified the a form of psilocybin known as “crystalline polymorph psilocybin”—also known as COMP 360—in the event of FDA approval, allowing doctors and pharmacists to prescribe and dispense it in the state.

Similar measures were considered by other states this year, including Colorado—where Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed it into law—and Virginia, where it was vetoed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R).

“I recognize and respect the growing body of research into the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin for mental health conditions such as depression and PTSD,” Reynolds’s veto statement of the Iowa measure said. “However, this bill, in its current form, moves ahead of where our public health systems, regulatory frameworks, and law enforcement infrastructure are prepared to go at this time.”

“Psilocybin should first be FDA approved and rescheduled by the DEA before the State of Iowa considers rescheduling,” the governor added. “The pathway provided by this bill for legalization of psilocybin at the state level before we have a chance to review federal action and prepare robust, federally aligned guidelines and safeguards creates legal uncertainty, poses risks for misuse, and could undermine broader efforts to ensure safe and effective therapeutic use in the future.”

Reynolds framed the veto action as “not a dismissal of the emerging science or the sincere advocacy behind this legislation” but instead as “a call for a more deliberate and Iowa-centric approach—one that engages state and federal partners, provides time to review any clinical studies and federal changes, and builds a framework for any future therapeutic access that is clear, safe, equitable, and medically sound.”

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A Rabbi, a Minister, a Monk, and a Priest Took Magic Mushrooms. Here’s What Happened

After scientists asked “psychedelic-naïve” professional religious leaders to take psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, most found the experience “religiously significant, meaningful, and generally beneficial.”

Historically, several world religions incorporate psychedelic compounds in their practices. However, this is the first study to examine what impact these experiences would have on the professional work of leaders from Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism, four of the world’s major religions.

Magic Mushrooms and Mystical Experiences

In their published study, the late Roland Griffiths, of Johns Hopkins University, and Stephen Ross and Anthony Bossis, from New York University Grossman School of Medicine, discuss the role of psychedelic compounds like LSD, psilocybin, ayahuasca, and peyote in religious ceremonies. While uses of these substances vary among cultures and religions, the researchers note that they can induce experiences that share similarities to “non-pharmacologically triggered” experiences often described as “religious, spiritual, or mystical.”

“Mystical experiences are characterized by a range of subjective features including a sense of unity, “noetic” quality (e.g., an authoritative sense of truth), transcendence of time and space, a sense of awe or sacredness, intense positive mood, transiency that nevertheless feels timeless, presence in awareness of mutually exclusive states or concepts, and ineffability,” they explain.

The researchers note that such experiences are also sometimes observed in states of consciousness “associated with near-death experiences, meditation, prayer, fasting, breathwork, and music.” Although psychedelics continue to be used in some Indigenous religious contexts, the researchers note “they are generally not used within major world religions (e.g., Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam).”

Curious if these religious leaders would have similar experiences and how these experiences might affect their job performance, the team recruited volunteers from all four major religions. According to the results, the study participants experienced several impacts on their personal and professional lives, including “enduring increases in well-being and spirituality,” that lasted up to 16 months after taking magic mushrooms.

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Trump’s VA Secretary Touts Being ‘One Of The First’ In His Role To Support Psychedelic Medicine For Veterans

The head of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is touting the fact that he’s “one of the first” secretaries of the agency with a commitment to exploring psychedelics as a potential therapy option for veterans.

During a pair of hearings before the House Veterans’ Affairs and Appropriations Committees on Thursday, VA Secretary Doug Collins was asked about psychedelics issues by multiple GOP lawmakers, fielding questions about his intent to facilitate research in hopes of securing access for the veteran community.

At the Veterans Affairs Committee hearing, Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI)—co-chair of the Congressional Psychedelic Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus—asked whether Collins had “any visibility” about the status of VA-supported psychedelics studies.

“We’re getting there,” Collins said. “I’m also probably one of the first of the [VA] secretaries who’ve actually decided that we will take a look at it. We’re not simply putting it off, and we’re going to do everything we possibly can, under the rules given to us by Congress, to actually continue that look. What we’re seeing so far is positive.”

“What we’re seeing so far in some of the studies that are related to VA, and also outside of VA as well,” he said, “is that there has been—especially when it comes to [post-traumatic stress disorder], and also traumatic brain injury and others—we’re seeing some actual positive outcomes there, especially when it is coupled with intense counseling. And I think that’s the one of the keys that we look forward to.”

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New Hampshire Senators Approve Psilocybin Decriminalization Bill

A New Hampshire Senate panel has advanced a House-passed bill to decriminalize the use and possession of psilocybin by adults.

The measure, sponsored by Rep. Kevin Verville (R), cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 3-2 vote on Tuesday. It previously passed the full House of Representatives in March.

Before approving the legislation, members of the Senate panel attached an amendment that would enact mandatory minimum sentences for certain fentanyl-related offenses and for distribution of drugs that result in a user’s death.

Sen. Tara Reardon (D) asked colleagues if the idea is that “we’re trading” the House-favored move to reduce psilocybin penalties in exchange “for enhanced penalties” on fentanyl that were contained in a separate bill that passed the Senate in January and has since remained pending before the House Judiciary Committee for months.

“One might say that, yes,” replied Chairman Bill Gannon (R).

Under the psychedelic-focused provisions of HB 528, a first psilocybin offense would be a violation, subject to a fine of $100 or less.

Second and third psilocybin offenses, meanwhile, would be class B misdemeanors, carrying fines of up to $500 and $1,000, respectively, but with no risk of jail time. Fourth and subsequent offenses would remain classified as felonies.

Sales and distribution of the substance would still be illegal, as the reform would apply only to “a person 18 years of age or older who obtains, purchases, transports, possesses, or uses psilocybin.”

As originally introduced, the legislation would have completely removed penalties around obtaining, purchasing, transporting, possessing or using psilocybin, effectively legalizing it on a noncommercial basis. However a House committee amended the bill before unanimously advancing it in March.

Verville previously told Marijuana Moment that the House’s passage of his psilocybin bill was “an historic, albeit small first step on our journey to correct 60 years of demonstrably failed policy on psychedelics.”

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Hawaii Bill To Support Psychedelic Therapy—Passed By Both Senate And House—Is Dead For The Session

A Hawaii bill to support research into psychedelic-assisted therapies that had passed both chambers of the legislature in different forms missed a legislative deadline and is now dead for the session, its sponsor tells Marijuana Moment.

SB 1042, from Sen. Chris Lee (D), was scheduled for a conference committee meeting, with lawmakers from both legislative chambers set to hammer out differences between versions of the bill passed by the House and Senate.

“Unfortunately, we ran out of time was the bottom line,” Lee said in a brief phone interview. “And that happened to a slew of bills, not just this one.”

While the proposal won’t move forward this year, the senator said the conversation this session will set the stage for a renewed effort in 2026.

“The great thing is, we had agreement on the final language in the bill,” Lee said. “So I think picking up next year from there will give us the ability to identify a clear path forward.”

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Psilocybin shows promise for improving mood, cognition, and motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease

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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California Senators Approve Bipartisan Bill To Create Psilocybin Pilot Program For Veterans And First Responders

California senators have unanimously approved a bipartisan bill to create a psilocybin pilot program for military veterans and first responders.

On Wednesday, members of the Senate Health Committee advanced the legislation from Sens. Josh Becker (D) and Brian Jones (R), with amendments, in a 7-0 vote.

The proposal would establish a pilot program under the University of California (UC) system to study and develop “psilocybin services” for eligible patients in up to five counties across the state.

The universities would be responsible for “protocol design, institutional review board approvals, training of psilocybin facilitators, data collection, and reporting” of the pilot program.

“The bill would require each local pilot program to partner with local mental health clinics, hospice programs, veterans facilities, or other community-based providers that provide services and care to the target population,” the measure, as introduced in January, says. “This bill would require the agency to report specified information about the pilot program to the Legislature by January 15, 2030.”

Under the legislation, the state would establish a “Veterans and First Responders Research Pilot Special Fund,” with continuous appropriations to fund the work.

“SB 751 responds to crisis we cannot ignore. Every day, an average of 17.6 veterans die by suicide. First responders—those who run towards dangers to protect the rest of us—are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty,” Becker said. “These are individuals who’ve experienced repeated trauma and, too often, existing mental health treatments simply don’t work for them.”

Many are turning to underground or unregulated sources of psilocybin, or even traveling abroad, to seek relief that only places them at risk,” he said. “It signals a serious gap in our system of care. This bill is a step towards addressing that gap responsibly and safely.”

A findings section of the legislation—which is also cosponsored by eight other lawmakers, including longtime psychedelics reform advocate Sen. Scott Wiener (D)—states that research “suggests that psilocybin and psilocyn, when used in a controlled setting, may offer significant benefits in treating mental health disorders, particularly those related to trauma and stress.”

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Iowa House Passes Bill To Legalize Medical Use Of Psilocybin

The Iowa House passed legislation Monday to legalize the use of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in “magic mushrooms,” for psychiatric treatment through a state program.

House File 978, passed 84–6, would establish a Psilocybin Production Establishment Licensing Board within the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), operating in a similar fashion to the existing Medical Cannabidiol Advisory Board that oversees Iowa’s medical cannabis program. The board would grant licenses for the production and administration of products with psilocybin to people with certain mental health needs in the state.

The bill also sets new requirements for who can access the substance, including an age 21 restriction and limit of 5,000 patients who can be recommended psilocybin treatment.

Rep. John Wills (R-Spirit Lake), the floor manager for the bill, said he would not have guessed that he would be involved in a bill on psilocybin before this year because “it’s just not something that I’m into.” But he said after learning more about the effectiveness of psilocybin treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), he believed the program will help people suffering in Iowa, like military veterans, law enforcement officers and other groups that face high rates of PTSD.

He said the bill requires people to receive psilocybin in a clinical environment with psychiatric support. In this environment, he said, the drug has been shown to allow people to “relive” their trauma in a controlled, safe space, and be able to resolve or lessen the impacts of PTSD. Wills said he believes this method could help address the high suicide rates of veterans and others suffering from the disorder, and offers a better alternative to other forms of PTSD treatment currently available.

“I will tell you, right now the only option these veterans have, the only option these people with PTSD have, is to be on mind-altering, life-altering drugs for the rest of their life,” Wills said.

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