therapeutic action: improved mood

A sense of the bigger picture: A qualitative analysis of follow-up interviews with people with bipolar disorder who self-reported psilocybin use

This research explored how 15 people with bipolar disorder who used psilocybin mushrooms experienced the effects. Many reported benefits like reduced depression and improved outlook on life, but some experienced negative effects including sleep problems and increased manic episodes. The study identified important factors that influenced outcomes, such as whether people used other drugs simultaneously, whether they used psilocybin alone or with others, and how much sleep they had before use. The researchers concluded that while psilocybin shows promise for bipolar depression, more careful clinical research is needed to ensure safety.

Read More »

The therapeutic potential of microdosing psychedelics in depression

This review examines whether taking very small doses of psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin might help treat depression. While users report benefits and some studies show subtle positive effects on mood and thinking, scientists have not yet confirmed whether microdosing actually works as a depression treatment. More research with depressed patients is needed to understand if this approach is truly helpful and safe for regular use.

Read More »

Psychedelic Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Reduces Depressive Symptoms in Adults with Cancer and Depression

Researchers conducted a trial testing psilocybin-assisted therapy in cancer patients with depression. Participants received a single dose of psilocybin combined with therapy sessions. After eight weeks, most patients showed significant improvement in depression symptoms, with many achieving full remission. The treatment was generally safe with only mild side effects, and patients reported feeling more hopeful and better equipped to cope with their cancer diagnosis.

Read More »

Psilocybin microdosers demonstrate greater observed improvements in mood and mental health at one month relative to non-microdosing controls

This study followed nearly 1000 people who microdose psilocybin (small regular doses of psilocybin mushrooms) and compared them to 180 people who don’t microdose over one month. Microdosers showed greater improvements in mood, depression, anxiety, and stress compared to the control group. Interestingly, when older adults combined psilocybin with lion’s mane mushrooms and niacin, they showed better improvements in motor control and speed. The effects were fairly consistent across different ages and genders, suggesting psilocybin microdosing may have real benefits for mental health.

Read More »

Mushrooms, Microdosing, and Mental Illness: The Effect of Psilocybin on Neurotransmitters, Neuroinflammation, and Neuroplasticity

This review examines how psilocybin, the active compound in certain mushrooms, may help treat depression and anxiety by reducing brain inflammation and promoting healthy neurotransmitter function. Both full doses under medical supervision and smaller ‘microdoses’ show promise for mental health conditions. The research suggests psilocybin works by calming the immune system’s inflammatory response while simultaneously supporting the brain’s natural healing and adaptation processes, offering a potential alternative treatment when standard medications don’t work.

Read More »

The phenomenology of psilocybin’s experience mediates subsequent persistent psychological effects independently of sex, previous experience, or setting

A research study examined how psilocybin experiences affect long-term mental health and well-being in healthy volunteers. Participants received two doses of psilocybin in controlled medical settings while undergoing brain imaging. The study found that psilocybin consistently produced positive, lasting improvements in mood, well-being, and spiritual outlook, regardless of whether people had used psychedelics before, their sex, or the specific imaging setting used.

Read More »
Scroll to Top