A team of researchers from Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
in Torrance, found that the drug psilocybin improved the mood of terminal cancer patients and cut their anxiety and depression. The research is believed a first step in repairing the drug’s respectability.

Psilocybin is the active ingredient in “magic mushrooms”, and is classified as an illegal drug in the U.S. In a small placebo-controlled randomized trial, Psilocybin was safe both physiologically and psychologically, according to Charles Grob, MD, of Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, who led the study.

The pilot study of 12 cancer patients was designed to prove that hallucinogenic drugs could be studied safely as a way to relieve the distress of advanced cancer. The study participants were given clear capsules either of active psilocybin (in a dose of 0.2 milligrams per kilogram) or a placebo (niacin, 250 milligrams) in random order.

The participants’ heart rate, blood pressure and temperature were supervised during each treatment. They were also assessed for levels of depression, anxiety and mood.

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