Emerging research into psilocybin (magic mushrooms) reveals it has significant potential for treating Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Used historically for millennia in spiritual and shamanic practices around the world, recent clinical studies have opened new avenues for psilocybin in treating mental health disorders as a welcome alternative to antidepressants like SSRI with their often challenging side effects.

How It Works

Psilocybin acts primarily on the serotonergic system, interacting with our 5-HT1a and 2a/c receptors and influencing key brain areas involved in mood regulation, including the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. Studies have demonstrated significant reductions in depressive symptoms with psilocybin, in many cases outperforming traditional SSRIs in several aspects. Psilocybin modulates the Default Mode Network (DMN), the part of the brain that is often hyperactive in depression and is totally self-referential. The DMN usually spends time in the past or future, recalling last experiences and anticipating future ones, especially any potential threat of danger.

Automatic Pilot

Most of the time we operate on some semblance of auto pilot, viewing the world via a belief system and world view conditioned over time by events we have experienced – especially those that are traumatic! Consequently there is little freedom to respond, rather than react. Our minds are not free to see the big picture, to consider alternate perspectives, and most importantly – to have compassion for our own suffering.

Legal Status

Psilocybin has not yet received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of depression due to its status as a “Schedule One Drug”. But the FDA has at least granted “Breakthrough Therapy” designation to psilocybin for the treatment of depression in some instances. This may speed up the development and review process since preliminary clinical evidence indicates substantial improvement over existing therapies, and despite its current status as not yet legal, there have countless individuals who have successfully utilized this incredible plant for their relief from depression.

 A Systematic Review

In this recent Systematic Review (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10811389/), six (6) studies were selected (including 319 participants), which “significantly favoured the use of psilocybin in reducing depressive symptoms, with few side effects. This gives psilocybin an advantage over commonly prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which carry more risk and cause more adverse effects.” It goes on to say, “psilocybin could prove to be revolutionary in treating depression and become an alternative medication to SSRIs.”

Looking For Relief?

This treatment is not necessarily for everyone, but for many this plant that has been used for thousands of years for healing and spiritual transformation has been a god-send providing much needed relief!