Psilocybin, a psychoactive compound naturally derived from certain fungi, is showing clinical efficacy in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms over time compared to control in multiple clinical trials. It has also been shown to reduce cigarettes per day and drinks per day in patients with substance use disorders. No significant adverse clinical events or verifiable recorded deaths have been reported from psilocybin use. Larger studies are needed before the drug can potentially become approved for use in the general population.
A meta-analysis of clinical trials found that psilocybin significantly reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to control conditions, with low to moderate heterogeneity across studies and no detected publication bias. The effect was observed in short, medium, and long-term time frames. However, the evidence remains preliminary; larger and longer trials are needed before psilocybin could be approved for community use.