Similar to shroom consumers of times past, psilocybin is used recreationally nowadays for enjoyment, to spark spiritual journeys, and to uncover insights about the nature of existence and consciousness.
Researchers are also picking up where Leary, Hofmann, and other psychedelic trailblazers left off in the late sixties by further uncovering the therapeutic uses of this remarkable molecule.
“Psilocybin is currently being explored in clinical trials as a potential treatment for a host of neuropsychiatric disorders,” said Tyler. “Synthetic psilocybin has been the subject of a number of clinical trials and research studies to explore how it works in the brain, and its potential uses, in conjunction with psychotherapy, to treat neuropsychiatric disorders.”
A number of clinical trials have already been completed, reporting that psilocybin-assisted therapy offers benefits for:
The FDA recently designated psilocybin as a breakthrough therapy for PTSD and treatment-resistant depression. Breakthrough status expedites drugs that are believed to display advantages over existing medical treatments.
Gauging by this fast-tracking research, psilocybin looks set to play a role in shaking up and transforming the mental health landscape in the years to come.