Analysis of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy in Medicine: A Narrative Review
Cureus February 5, 2022 Shawn Ziff, Benjamin Stern, Gregory D. Lewis et al. 32 citations
Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, has been used for millennia in cultural and religious contexts. After mid-20th-century prohibition halted research, recent clinical trials show it can significantly reduce depression and anxiety compared to a placebo, though one trial found no significant difference versus a standard SSRI. In patients with advanced-stage cancer, psilocybin may ease depression and anxiety linked to terminal diagnosis. For addiction—especially to nicotine and alcohol—small open-label trials suggest psilocybin therapy outperforms traditional treatments. Its low toxicity and infrequent dosing produce durable effects with minimal risk of overuse, positioning it as a promising tool in addiction medicine.