In a groundbreaking move, the Cleveland Clinic is set to embark on a new study to explore the potential of using psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in "magic" mushrooms, to treat depression. This comes a year after the clinic's announcement of a clinical trial on LSD for anxiety disorders.

According to a news release from the clinic, over 50 sites have joined the trial, aiming to investigate the impact of psilocybin on patients diagnosed with depression that has remained unresolved by other treatments. Participants will receive capsules containing either psilocybin or a placebo and will be closely monitored for a minimum of six hours by a therapist.

The study will not end there, as researchers plan to follow up with the participants over the course of the next year. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring compound found in more than 200 species of fungi. It has the ability to affect serotonin levels in the brain, influencing mood, cognition, and perception, as noted in the news release.

Dr. Brian Barnett, a specialist from the Cleveland Clinic's Treatment Resistant Depression Clinic, believes that psychedelics could be a game-changer in treating psychiatric disorders. He explained that people often gain powerful insights under the influence of these substances, potentially making connections between their life experiences, psychiatric conditions, or substance use disorders, which can ultimately lead to transformative changes in their approach to treatment.

Interestingly, a survey conducted by the Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University in 2023 revealed a significant shift in opinion among psychiatrists. In 2016, less than half of the psychiatrists believed that psychedelics could assist in psychiatric disorder treatment. However, the 2023 survey found that approximately 4 out of 5 psychiatrists now agree that these substances could provide tangible benefits.

The Cleveland Clinic's new study on using psilocybin for depression treatment marks a courageous step towards harnessing the potential of psychedelic drugs in the field of mental health. If successful, this research could pave the way for alternative therapies and open up new avenues for individuals struggling with treatment-resistant depression.

As the study unfolds, the medical community eagerly awaits the results, hopeful for groundbreaking advancements in understanding and treating depression through the use of psilocybin.