The Clinical Applications of Psilocybin Therapies and Post-COVID Syndrome: A Comprehensive Narrative Review
Cureus June 24, 2025 Alfred Mathew, Roshan Dongre, Seo Hee Kim et al.
A review of literature from 2020 to 2024 examined psilocybin's use in clinical practice before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Psilocybin, a compound found in certain mushrooms, shows evidence of reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, with relatively safe outcomes under medical supervision. The review notes potential for treating long-haul COVID-19 symptoms, including a pharmacological basis for inhibiting the SARS-CoV-2 protease, though in vitro validation is needed. Barriers to therapeutic use exist, and more robust clinical trials comparing psilocybin to standard care are required to draw definitive conclusions.