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Discovering the Potential Mechanisms of Medicinal Mushrooms Antidepressant Activity: A Review

Summary

This review explores how medicinal mushrooms may help fight depression through several natural mechanisms. These mushrooms contain compounds that boost serotonin production, reduce brain inflammation, and promote healthy neural growth. The review also discusses psilocybin from magic mushrooms as a promising rapid-acting treatment for severe depression that doesn’t respond to conventional medications.

Background

Major depression affects over 322 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of disability. Current antidepressant therapy has limited efficacy with about 30% of patients experiencing treatment-resistant depression. Recent evidence suggests that mushroom consumption may lower depression prevalence through multiple biological mechanisms.

Objective

This review aims to elucidate the antidepressant mechanisms of medicinal and edible mushrooms by examining multiple pathways including serotonin synthesis, neuroinflammation, neurotrophin expression, neurogenesis, and gut-brain axis interactions. The review also evaluates psilocybin as a rapid-acting antidepressant candidate for treatment-resistant depression.

Results

Medicinal mushrooms contain significant levels of L-tryptophan and its derivatives that support serotonin synthesis. They exhibit anti-neuroinflammatory activity through NF-κB pathway inhibition and promote neurotrophin expression including BDNF. Psilocybin demonstrates rapid-acting antidepressant potential through 5-HT2A receptor modulation and neuroinflammation reduction.

Conclusion

Medicinal mushrooms present multiple mechanisms supporting antidepressant activity through serotonin precursor provision, neuroinflammation reduction, BDNF enhancement, and gut-brain axis modulation. Psilocybin shows promise as a rapid-acting antidepressant for treatment-resistant depression, though additional clinical trials are needed before regulatory approval.
  • Published in:Antioxidants (Basel),
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 36978872
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