Psilocybin treatment has been all over the news in the last few years. By now you have probably heard about “magic mushrooms” and the growing body of research on their many potential benefits. The Department of Veterans affairs even started doing psychedelic assisted therapy to treat PTSD and alcohol abuse disorder.

Researchers at UC San Francisco also noticed, and wondered if these same psychedelics could be used to help treat Parkinson’s patients. Researchers have noticed that depression and anxiety can be early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and can appear long before the first motor symptoms. Research also indicates that mood related symptoms can lead to a faster physical decline in patients. According to Ellen Bradley, MD, an assistant professor and associate director of USCF’s Translational Psychedelic Research Program, mood related symptoms are “a stronger predictor of patients’ quality of life with Parkinson’s than their motor symptoms.”

What Mushrooms do for Parkinson’s Patients

Because mood changes are such a strong indicator of the disease’s physical progression, researchers gave the test patients two small doses of psilocybin coupled with psychotherapy sessions. Patients received 10mg and 25mg doses. All of the study’s participants had meaningful improvement in their mood, cognition, and motor symptoms. These mood improvements continued through the 3 month follow up window. A positive mood and out look can seriously help slow the progression of the disease. A better mood can also help patients remain more active and social.

There could be benefits beyond improved mood. The senior author of the study, Joshua Woolley, MD, PhD, notes that most brain diseases have treatment for the symptoms, but they are unable to change the course of the disease. That may change with an increased understanding of how psilocybin can help heal the brain. There are strong indicators that psilocybin may also help reduce inflammation and promote neuroplasticity. According to Dr. Woolley “We can often treat the symptoms, but we don’t alter the trajectory or prevent decline. Now, that’s beginning to change. These results raise the exciting possibility that psilocybin may help the brain repair itself.”

What’s next in Psilocybin Treatment Research

This study provided such promising results for psilocybin treatment, that a larger randomized trial is planned at UCSF with a more diverse patient group. A second study is in the works at Yale University with hopes to enroll 100 participants.

Interested in learning more about psilocybin therapy? Check out our other posts or join us for a community meeting.