British researchers have found in their studies that the psychedelic compound found in is as useful as conventional medicine for treating depression. Scientists at Imperial College London said that psilocybin is also useful like escitalopram. Escitalopram is widely used in the treatment of depression. This discovery of scientists has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. It also indicated that the use of magic mushrooms can improve health.
Robin Carhart-Harris heads the Center for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College. He told Reuters that this research suggests that "regular psilocybin therapy offers more benefits than conventional treatments."
However, experts believe that more study needs to be done about this. Right now, only 59 such people have been sampled in this study, who were suffering from depression at some very or very serious level.
What was involved in the test?
Those involved in this trial were given either a dose of psilocybin or escitalopram as a treatment. Also, either placebo was given or a very small amount of psilocybin. After this, questions were answered on many topics such as sleep, energy, hunger, mood and suicidal thoughts.
This is the first study to compare the traditional treatment of depression with psychedelic tests for more than six weeks. During the study, when it came to work and social activities, improved mental status, and feeling happy, the effect of psychedelic medicine was seen to be better.
Results of treatment were defined in such a way that at least 50 percent reduction in depression levels was observed in 70 percent of the people in the group with psilocybin. At the same time, it was 48 percent in Escitalopram group.
The results also showed that a 57 percent reduction in symptoms of depression was observed in the group with psilocybin, while it was 28 percent in the escitalopram group. This score was measured as 0 to 5 in the sixth week.
What does this mean for treating mental problems?
Carhart-Harris says these are the results of the initial discovery. In such a situation, the patients of depression should not try to cure themselves by using magic mushroom. He says, "That would be a wrong decision."
Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology David Knut is also included in the team of Imperial College. This team has been exploring the abilities of silocybin for the past several years. This new study was carried out under fully controlled conditions with the help of two physicians and laboratory prepared doses.
In 2016, this team published a small study. It was also said in that study that the symptoms of depression can be reduced with the help of psilocybin.
