MEDICINE RESEARCH / MAGIC MUSHROOM / PSILOCYBIN
MAGIC MUSHROOM
Library
Clinical trials, safety, pharmacokinetics, neuroimaging, long-term follow-up, taxonomy, and chemistry—with links to original psilocybin research.
Whole mushrooms are distinguished from standardized or synthetic psilocybin, while study setting, acute effects, long-term outcomes, chemistry, and taxonomy are treated separately.
CURATED READING ORDER
Magic Mushrooms / Psilocybin resources
- 01Systematic review and meta-analysisDetailed introduction
Randomized Controlled Trials of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Randomized Controlled Trials of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
A detailed introduction to a 2025 meta-analysis combining 6 randomized trials with 427 participants on psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depressive disorder.
Vishnu Menon et al. · Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica · 2025
- 02Systematic review and meta-analysisSource-aligned translation
Acute Adverse Effects of Therapeutic Doses of Psilocybin: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Acute Adverse Effects of Therapeutic Doses of Psilocybin: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
A source-aligned translation of a 2024 paper combining 6 double-blind randomized trials with 528 participants to evaluate acute adverse events within 48 hours after administration.
Nikhil Yerubandi et al. · JAMA Network Open · 2024
- 03Double-blind phase 2 randomized trialDetailed introduction
Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression
Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression
A detailed introduction to a 2022 phase 2 trial that compared 3 conditions in 233 adults with treatment-resistant depression and evaluated symptoms and adverse events at 3 weeks.
Guy M. Goodwin et al. · The New England Journal of Medicine · 2022
- 04Double-blind randomized comparative trialDetailed introduction
Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression
Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression
A detailed introduction to a 2021 trial comparing psilocybin-assisted therapy with escitalopram over 6 weeks in 59 people with moderate to severe major depressive disorder.
Robin Carhart-Harris et al. · The New England Journal of Medicine · 2021
- 05Double-blind crossover studyDetailed introduction
Psilocybin Can Occasion Mystical-Type Experiences Having Substantial and Sustained Personal Meaning and Spiritual Significance
Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance
A detailed introduction to a 2006 double-blind study comparing psilocybin with methylphenidate in 36 healthy people engaged in religious or spiritual activities.
Roland R. Griffiths et al. · Psychopharmacology · 2006
- 06Randomized double-blind crossover trialSource-aligned translation
Psilocybin Produces Substantial and Sustained Decreases in Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Life-Threatening Cancer: A Randomized Double-Blind Trial
Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial
A source-aligned translation of a 2016 trial comparing high- and very-low-dose conditions in 51 people with depression or anxiety associated with a life-threatening cancer diagnosis.
Roland R. Griffiths et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology · 2016
- 07Open-label pharmacokinetic studyDetailed introduction
Pharmacokinetics of Escalating Doses of Oral Psilocybin in Healthy Adults
Pharmacokinetics of Escalating Doses of Oral Psilocybin in Healthy Adults
A detailed introduction to a 2017 study measuring plasma and urinary psilocin concentrations and pharmacokinetics after oral psilocybin in 12 healthy adults.
Robert T. Brown et al. · Clinical Pharmacokinetics · 2017
- 08Placebo-controlled fMRI studyDetailed introduction
Neural Correlates of the Psychedelic State as Determined by fMRI Studies with Psilocybin
Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin
A detailed introduction to a 2012 study examining changes in cerebral blood flow and BOLD signals after intravenous psilocybin in 2 small fMRI experiments with healthy adults.
Robin L. Carhart-Harris et al. · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 2012
- 09Long-term observational follow-up studyDetailed introduction
Long-Term Follow-Up of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for Psychiatric and Existential Distress in Patients with Life-Threatening Cancer
Long-term follow-up of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for psychiatric and existential distress in patients with life-threatening cancer
A detailed introduction to a 2020 study that followed 15 participants from an earlier trial at averages of 3.2 and 4.5 years to examine depression, anxiety, and the meaning of the experience.
Gabrielle I. Agin-Liebes et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology · 2020
- 10DNA authentication and chemotaxonomic studySource-aligned translation
DNA Authentication and Chemical Analysis of Psilocybe Mushrooms Reveal Widespread Misdeterminations in Fungaria and Inconsistencies in Metabolites
DNA Authentication and Chemical Analysis of Psilocybe Mushrooms Reveal Widespread Misdeterminations in Fungaria and Inconsistencies in Metabolites
A source-aligned translation of a 2022 mycological study that reassessed 94 fungarium specimens of Psilocybe using DNA and analyzed alkaloid stability in a subset.
Adam R. Bradshaw et al. · Applied and Environmental Microbiology · 2022