London: A new study has found that ‘Magic mushrooms’ can provide effective treatment for depression after one or two doses.
According to research published in the British Medical Journal, a single dose of psilocybin, an active ingredient found in magic mushrooms, reduced depression in the study.
A team of British researchers examined databases that compared the use of psilocybin as a treatment for depression and looked at studies where the compound was used in addition to psychotherapy.
Researchers studied trials involving 436 people with depression. The study found that after treatment with psilocybin, there was a marked improvement in the condition.
The researchers said that the results of the study are encouraging but further research is needed.
An estimated 300 million people worldwide are affected by depression and according to data from the Office for National Statistics, one in six people experience moderate to severe depression symptoms.
In the UK, magic mushrooms are currently classified as a class 1 drug and are heavily restricted.
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