These mushrooms contain psilocybin (Getty Images) |
LOS ANGELES -- They're known as "magic mushrooms," and now they're being used for their purported psychological benefits in cancer patients.
A study from the Archives of General Psychiatry found benefits from the use of psilocybin in treating anxiety and depression common with stage 4 cancer.
Late-stage cancer patients given a moderate single dose of psilocybin were less anxious and significantly less depressed six months later, compared with patients given a placebo.
The federal government put a stop to all research of hallucinogenics as medical treatments in the 1970s.
Before the crackdown, studies had shown hallucinogens could have powerful mood-enhancing effects.
"The culture was going through tremendous upheaval" 40 years ago, Dr. Charles Grob of UCLA told Reuters.
"These compounds were associated with a very politically active counterculture. Everything had to be shut down. Times have changed and it's now possible to pick up this research model again."
Federal law currently prohibits psilocybin for any use.
A study from the Archives of General Psychiatry found benefits from the use of psilocybin in treating anxiety and depression common with stage 4 cancer.
Late-stage cancer patients given a moderate single dose of psilocybin were less anxious and significantly less depressed six months later, compared with patients given a placebo.
The federal government put a stop to all research of hallucinogenics as medical treatments in the 1970s.
Before the crackdown, studies had shown hallucinogens could have powerful mood-enhancing effects.
"The culture was going through tremendous upheaval" 40 years ago, Dr. Charles Grob of UCLA told Reuters.
"These compounds were associated with a very politically active counterculture. Everything had to be shut down. Times have changed and it's now possible to pick up this research model again."
Federal law currently prohibits psilocybin for any use.
