A groundbreaking pilot study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has revealed that psilocybin, the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms, may significantly improve mood, cognition, and motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease. This marks the first time a psychedelic has been tested on individuals with a neurodegenerative disorder.
The study involved 12 participants with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease who received two doses of psilocybin – 10 mg followed by 25 mg two weeks later—accompanied by psychotherapy sessions. Assessments conducted one week, one month, and three months post-treatment indicated sustained improvements in mood, cognitive function, and motor abilities. Notably, these benefits persisted well beyond the presence of the drug in the body.
Dr. Ellen Bradley, assistant professor and associate director of UCSF’s Translational Psychedelic Research Program, noted that mood symptoms in Parkinson’s patients are strong predictors of quality of life and can accelerate physical decline. The observed improvements suggest that psilocybin may offer a multifaceted therapeutic approach, potentially enhancing neuroplasticity and reducing inflammation.
While the study’s sample size was limited, the promising results have prompted plans for a larger, randomized controlled trial to further investigate psilocybin’s efficacy and underlying mechanisms in treating Parkinson’s disease. This research could pave the way for novel treatment strategies for neurodegenerative conditions.
Source: UCSF News
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