Psilocybin shows promise in treating mood in Parkinson’s disease
While psilocybin — a crude compound seen in particular mushroom — has shown assurance in treating depression and anxiety.
Breakthrough Pilot Study Offers Hope for Patients
A new pilot study from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) suggests that psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, may offer significant relief to patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease—not just for their physical symptoms but also their often-overlooked mood disorders. The findings, published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, indicate that psilocybin may help improve mood, cognition, and even motor function in people living with the neurodegenerative condition.
Early Results Exceed Expectations
The research team conducted a small clinical trial involving 12 participants—seven men and five women—with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease. Each participant received an initial oral dose of 10 mg of psilocybin, followed two weeks later by a higher 25 mg dose. The drug was well tolerated, with no serious side effects or worsening of Parkinson’s symptoms reported.
What made the results particularly striking was the duration of the benefits. Improvements in mood, cognitive clarity, and physical movement persisted for several weeks after the drug had left the patients’ systems. These outcomes are especially promising given the limited efficacy of current antidepressants for Parkinson’s patients, who often struggle with treatment-resistant depression and anxiety.
Targeting an Overlooked Symptom
“Mood symptoms in Parkinson’s are more than just side effects—they’re deeply connected to disease progression,” said Dr. Ellen Bradley, assistant professor and associate director of UCSF’s Translational Psychedelic Research Programme (TrPR). “In fact, they’re a stronger predictor of quality of life than the motor symptoms themselves.”
A New Direction for Parkinson’s Treatment
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive brain disorder marked by tremors, muscle rigidity, and difficulty with movement, caused by abnormal brain activity. While drugs like levodopa can ease motor symptoms, there are currently no approved treatments that can slow or reverse the disease. The study’s authors note that mood disorders often appear years before physical symptoms, suggesting a deeper neurological link.
This marks the first time a psychedelic has been tested in patients with any neurodegenerative condition, setting the stage for larger studies and, potentially, a new frontier in Parkinson’s care.