A single dose of psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms, may significantly alleviate depression that has not responded to conventional treatments, according to a recent clinical trial. The study, led by King’s College London and published in Nature Medicine, represents the first publicly funded trial of psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression.

The trial involved 60 participants diagnosed with depression who had failed to improve after at least two previous treatments. Half of the participants received a 25mg dose of psilocybin, while the other half were given a placebo. Both groups received psychological support throughout the study, which was conducted in a community setting rather than a hospital.

Results showed that approximately 43% of those receiving psilocybin met the criteria for treatment response within three weeks, with this figure increasing to 56% after six weeks. In contrast, only about 3% of patients in the placebo group achieved a similar response over the same period. Additionally, 40% of psilocybin recipients entered remission—meaning their depressive symptoms decreased sufficiently to no longer meet clinical criteria—within three weeks, compared to 3% in the placebo group. This remission was maintained at the six-week follow-up.

Researchers noted that individual responses to psilocybin varied, a common feature in clinical depression. Professor James Rucker, consultant psychiatrist at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, emphasized the feasibility of conducting randomized trials comparing psilocybin to placebo in patients who had often exhausted multiple treatment options. He highlighted the importance of publicly funded clinical trials in establishing evidence for new interventions and stated that the growing body of research on psilocybin therapy is increasingly encouraging.

One participant described the experience as “very emotional,” recounting intense moments during the sessions that aided them in gaining insight into their condition. The patient shared that at one point, they visualized a scene involving family members, which provided a sense of emotional release.

Psilocybin remains classified as a Class A controlled substance, with possession, cultivation, and supply of magic mushrooms illegal outside of approved scientific and clinical research. Despite its legal status, the study’s findings contribute to ongoing discussions about the therapeutic potential of psychedelics in mental health treatment, especially for individuals with depression unresponsive to existing medications.