Single Dose of ‘Magic Mushrooms’ Provides 5 Years of Depression Relief, Researchers Find
Psilocybin, the main psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms, has shown remarkable long-term antidepressant effects in a recent clinical trial, according to a study presented at the Psychedelic Science 2025 conference in Denver. The research, which followed patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) from a previous psilocybin treatment study in 2020, found that the compound can provide lasting relief from depression symptoms for up to five years after just a single dose.
Participants in the follow-up study, which included 21 of the original 24 patients from the 2020 trial, reported significant improvements in their condition. Sixty-seven percent remained in remission from depression after five years, with many experiencing reduced anxiety and improved daily functioning. The study’s lead author, Alan Davis, who is affiliated with The Ohio State University’s Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education, stated that the findings are promising. “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,” Davis told Fox News Digital.
The research has sparked interest among experts in mental health treatment, with Doug Drysdale, CEO of the Canadian pharmaceutical company Cybin, expressing enthusiasm about the potential of psilocybin and other psychedelic-based therapies. “The results of the study are certainly very encouraging,” Drysdale said, noting that the findings suggest a new, potentially more efficient approach to treating major depressive disorder.
Early studies had already hinted at psilocybin’s antidepressant potential, leading researchers to conduct the first-ever randomized clinical trial. The 2020 trial involved 24 patients with MDD, with half receiving psilocybin at the start of the study and the other half receiving the treatment eight weeks later. All participants also underwent 11 hours of psychotherapy. One month after treatment, 17 patients reported symptom relief, with 14 achieving full remission from depression.
The new study aimed to explore the long-term effects of this treatment on the 21 participants from the original trial. The researchers emphasized that the effectiveness of psilocybin therapy, requiring only a single or a few administrations, represents a significant advantage over conventional antidepressants, which often require daily use. “The effectiveness of psilocybin therapy after a single or only a few administrations represents another substantial advantage over commonly used antidepressants that require daily administration,” the researchers noted.
While the findings are encouraging, experts caution that more rigorous study is needed to validate these results. “The study doesn’t account for naturalistic changes that could have affected their depression in the five years since the main trial, and the sample is not representative of the population of people suffering from depression,” Davis added. This underscores the importance of ensuring that the long-term benefits observed are not merely coincidental but are genuinely attributable to the psilocybin treatment.
Additionally, the research is part of a broader exploration of psilocybin’s potential in treating various mental health conditions. Recent studies have highlighted its potential in treating postpartum depression, a condition that affects up to one in seven new mothers. A 2022 study suggested that psilocybin could help new mothers feel more connected to their infants, potentially improving mood and maternal sensitivity. Moreover, a clinical trial at Cleveland Clinic is currently investigating single-dosing psilocybin as a treatment for postpartum depression, with a focus on RE104, a proprietary drug similar to psilocybin.
Despite the promising results, experts also emphasize the importance of administering psychedelics in a safe and controlled environment. Ryan Moss, chief science officer at Filament Health, a Canadian company specializing in natural psychedelic drug development, has warned about the potential risks associated with unregulated use, such as anxiety, hallucinations, and even cardiovascular events in some patients. He recommends that clinical trial participants receive thorough preparation and monitoring by trained professionals to ensure safety and efficacy.
The growing interest in psilocybin as a potential antidepressant is part of a larger conversation about the role of psychedelics in mental health treatment. While some researchers and clinicians see significant therapeutic potential, others are cautious about the risks and the need for strict regulatory oversight. Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst at Fox News, has also commented on this topic, noting that while there is therapeutic potential if studied under strict medical guidance, there are significant risks associated with unregulated use.
As the field of psychedelic research continues to evolve, the findings from this study may pave the way for new treatment options for individuals suffering from depression. However, it is essential to balance the excitement with a critical evaluation of the evidence, ensuring that any new treatment is both effective and safe for patients.