Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 8, 2026
26:41
Perspectives on Neuroscience
Published on: July 31, 2007
5.3K
DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Psilocybin
Haden A Geiger1, Madeline G Wurst1, R Nathan Daniels1,2
1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences , Nashville , Tennessee 37204 , United States.
ACS Chemical Neuroscience
|June 30, 2018
Summary
Psilocybin, a compound from magic mushrooms, is being re-examined for therapeutic potential. Early research suggests it may help treat addiction and depression, reversing decades of limited study.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychopharmacology
Background:
- Psilocybin, a psychoactive compound from *Psilocybe* mushrooms, was synthesized in the 1950s for research.
- Its use declined after being classified as a Schedule I drug in 1970, limiting scientific investigation.
Observation:
- Historically used for hallucinations, psilocybin research has resurged due to preliminary findings.
- Studies indicate potential therapeutic applications for conditions including obsessive-compulsive disorder, addiction (alcohol, tobacco), and major depressive disorder.
Findings:
- Psilocybin shows promise in treating depression, particularly in terminally ill cancer patients.
- The review details psilocybin's synthesis, metabolism, pharmacology, and adverse effects.
Implications:
- This review highlights the renewed importance of psilocybin in neuroscience and its potential clinical applications.
- Further research is warranted to explore psilocybin's efficacy and safety in treating various psychiatric conditions.
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