Psilocybin Mushrooms used to cure Depression

Mushrooms aren't just used for food toppings or video game powerups; a new study found that psilocybin mushrooms (AKA "magic mushrooms") can be used to cure depression.

Researchers from the UK found that patients diagnosed with severe depression had their symptoms greatly diminished after being administered with psilocybin. The patients were given two doses of psilocybin a week apart from each other, as well as psychological support during the testing. The results showed that all 19 of the patients tested had lowered symptoms of depression, and 47% of them continued to have low depression symptoms weeks after the testing was finished.

As their name implies, psilocybin mushrooms produce the chemical group known as psilocybin. The structure of psilocybin is pictured below.

The article stated that the exact mechanism for how psilocybin helps fight depression is unknown. However, it was stated that the use of psilocybin decreased blood flow in the amygdala and temporal cortex (areas commonly associated with depression). This means that the psilocybin most likely has an effect on serotonin, a neurotransmitter which relays signals around the brain and can lead to depression if there is an imbalance in serotonin levels.

Psilocybin can be converted into psilocin through dephosphorylation. The structure of psilocin is very similar to serotonin, with the only differences being that psilocin's hydroxyl group is located on the 4 position instead of the 5, and that there are two methyl groups on the nitrogen. Through their similarities in structure seems to be where psilocin comes in to affect serotonin levels. The effects of psilocin are similar to LSD (hence why mushrooms are commonly associated with drugs), which is why there are restrictions on the drug in areas such as Australia. This study will hopefully lead into reliable anti-depressants available to the public, as suicide leads to many deaths per year.

Sources: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20171016/Magic-mushrooms-chemical-Psilocybin-for-treatment-of-hard-to-treat-depression.aspx

https://gizmodo.com/magic-mushroom-chemical-appears-to-physically-change-de-1819447096

https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/serotonin#1