Do Magic Mushrooms Help With Depression?
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Do Magic Mushrooms Help With Depression?
If you're one of the millions of people who suffer from depression, you may be wondering if magic mushrooms help with depression. Psilocybin is a psychoactive compound found in mushrooms, and it has been shown to be effective in opening up the brain's pathways and thereby helping sufferers of depression.
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Treatment-resistant depression affects 30% of people with major depressive disorder
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a form of major depressive disorder (MDD) where symptoms do not respond to conventional antidepressant treatments. Patients with TRD have more frequent and severe depression, and they have poorer quality of life.There are many factors that contribute to treatment-resistant depression. The most significant is the absence of remission or partial response to one or more treatments. Other factors include functional impairment, suicide ideation, and self-injurious behaviors.
Studies have found that treatment-resistant depression is associated with a higher burden of illness, including higher rates of self-injury, suicide attempt, and other depression-related problems. These patients have decreased life expectancy, and their health care costs are also high.
Many people with depression are treated with drugs, but some people need a more intensive treatment approach. For instance, patients with treatment-resistant depression may need more than the standard four to eight weeks of treatment. It may take longer to find a good treatment plan for you, so it's important to stick with your treatment plan.
Researchers are working to identify new drugs that target the neurotransmitters responsible for depression. One of these drugs, called SAGE-217, could prevent serious relapses in depression. However, more studies are needed before doctors can prescribe this drug to patients.
There is a large number of people with depression who have tried medication, but do not improve. This type of depression is difficult to diagnose. While the symptoms of depression are triggered by several factors, there is no known cure for this disease.
Psilocybin helps to "open up" depressed people's brains
Psilocybin, one of the psychedelic compounds found in magic mushrooms, appears to help open up the brain of depressed people. This may improve mental health and allow patients to move on with their lives.Psilocybin has been a taboo drug, but now it's the subject of much research and interest. Some US states are well on the way to legalising medical psilocybin, while others are exploring its potential as a therapy for addiction and depression.
Scientists at Imperial's Centre for Psychedelic Research analysed fMRI scans of participants from two trials. They discovered that psilocybin "opened up" the brain of patients suffering from depression, enabling them to communicate more freely with other parts of the brain.
Researchers also discovered that increased brain connectivity had a measurable impact on self-reported improvements in depression. The effect was also consistent across the two studies.
According to the study, psilocybin helps to break out of negative thinking patterns, which are commonly associated with depression. As the psychedelic substance changes the brain's wiring, it makes the brain more flexible and able to bounce back from everyday life's ups and downs.
However, psilocybin therapy should not be used for self-medication. Instead, it should be administered under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional.
Previous studies have explored the potential of psilocybin to treat anxiety, but the new study is the first to explore the effects of psilocybin on depression.
COMPASS Pathway's research
If you've been following the psilocybin and depression news, you may have heard about a new study by Compass Pathways, a UK-based pharmaceutical company. The study is the largest ever psilocybin clinical trial.The study included 233 patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) who participated in a phase 2b trial. Psilocybin was administered in conjunction with psychological support from specially trained therapists. Among the study's most impressive findings was a significant reduction in depressive symptoms within three weeks.
Experts have expressed a strong endorsement for the results of the psilocybin trial. However, more study is needed to fully evaluate the potential benefits of the drug.
The company is working to develop and commercialize its proprietary formulation of synthetic psilocybin, called COMP360. A large-scale phase 3 programme is expected to begin in 2022.
In May 2022, COMPASS Pathways presented results of its Phase 2b study at the American Psychiatric Association annual meeting in New Orleans. Results showed a rapid, durable response in patients who received psilocybin in combination with psychological support.
The psilocybin trial was conducted at 22 sites worldwide. King's College London and the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust were two of the centers involved in the research.
A 25-milligram dose of psilocybin was given as part of the trial. All of the participants were on at least two antidepressant medications before being enrolled.