A new study by researchers at the University of Washington has found that psilocybin-assisted therapy significantly reduced depression symptoms in clinicians who served on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The trial involved 30 participants, all of whom met criteria for depression after providing frontline care during the pandemic. Half received a dose of synthesized psilocybin (25mg), while the other half received niacin (100mg). The results showed that those who received psilocybin saw their depression symptoms decrease by an average of 21.33 points on a clinical scale, compared to a 9.33-point reduction in the placebo group.
The study’s lead researcher, Anthony Back, said that the findings demonstrate that psilocybin therapy is safe and can help clinicians work through feelings of burnout and disillusionment, ultimately allowing them to provide better care for their patients.
Source: https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/12/05/study-magic-mushroom-therapy