Approximately 25% of people living with cancer suffer from depression; in some cases, so severe it reduces their odds of survival. New results from a clinical trial reveal that a single dose of psilocybin—a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in mushrooms—can provide sustain reductions in depression and anxiety in individuals suffering from major depressive disorder. The study demonstrated a sustained effect of a single 25mg dose—administered under the guidance of a therapist–for as long as two years, suggesting a potentially paradigm-changing alternative to traditional antidepressants. Previous studies have demonstrated that psilocybin temporarily scrambles a critical network of brain areas responsible for introspective thinking, which may cause a “re-set.” With further research needed, previously restrictive government regulations have loosened enough to pursue the studies.
