Psilocybin
Psilocybin is the serotonergic psychedelic in "magic mushrooms." Controlled trials have shown promising, sometimes durable benefits for treatment-resistant depression and end-of-life anxiety, earning breakthrough-therapy designation, and it has low addiction potential and physiological toxicity. Key risks are acutely distressing experiences and unsafe behavior, so research uses careful screening, dosing, and psychological support.
Too little may be associated with
No requirement.
Too much may be associated with
Frightening experiences; risk in vulnerable individuals.
Informational only — not medical advice.
Neurotransmitters
Related
- Neuroplasticity (↑)(prelim)
- Reward Processing (↑)
- Cognitive Flexibility (↕)(prelim)
- Ketamine
- LSD
- MDMA(HARMFUL)
Books (5)
How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us
Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca
Sacred Knowledge: Psychedelics and Religious Experiences
The Harvard Psychedelic Club
The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys
Podcasts
- Adventures Through The Mind
Long-form conversations on psychedelics and consciousness.
- Psychedelic Medicine Podcast with Dr. Lynn Marie Morski
Clinical conversations on the medical use of psychedelics.
- Psychedelics Today
Interviews and news across psychedelic science, therapy, and culture.
Research (11)
- Separate or inseparable? Serotonin and dopamine system interactions may underlie the therapeutic potential of psilocybin for anorexia nervosa McCoy et al. (2025) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Psilocybin and Other Classic Psychedelics in Depression Nutt et al. (2024) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Mescaline: The forgotten psychedelic Nutt et al. (2023) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Molecular Mechanisms of Psilocybin and Implications for the Treatment of Depression Ling et al. (2022) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Psychedelics and health behaviour change Erritzoe et al. (2022) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Neuroplasticity as a convergent mechanism of ketamine and classical psychedelics Aleksandrova et al. (2021) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Psilocybin induces rapid and persistent growth of dendritic spines in frontal cortex in vivo Shao et al. (2021) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression Nutt et al. (2021) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Psychedelics, Sociality, and Human Evolution Rodríguez et al. (2021) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Hallucinogens and Serotonin 5-HT(2A) Receptor-Mediated Signaling Pathways López-Giménez et al. (2018) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Psychedelics Nichols (2016) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
Links
Recovery resources
Help for psilocybin use and recovery. Not an endorsement or medical advice — see all recovery resources.
SAMHSA National Helpline (US)
A free, confidential, 24/7 US treatment-referral and information line for individuals and families facing substance use or mental health disorders.
Co-Anon Family Groups
Support for the families and friends of someone with a cocaine or other drug problem.
Families Anonymous (FA)
A 12-step fellowship for the relatives and friends of people affected by drug abuse or related behavioral problems.
Nar-Anon Family Groups
A 12-step program for the families and friends of people addicted to drugs.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
A global 12-step fellowship for people recovering from addiction to any drug.
SMART Recovery
A secular, science-based recovery program using cognitive-behavioral tools for any addictive behavior.
Community
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