Magic Mushrooms Still Give Lasting Depression Relief After 5 Years

A Single Dose of Psilocybin Shows Lasting Depression Relief After 5 Years: Here’s Why That’s So Exciting

In a landmark follow-up study presented at the Psychedelic Science 2025 conference, researchers revealed something remarkable: a single dose of psilocybin, the active ingredient in “magic mushrooms,” may offer relief from depression that lasts not just weeks or months, but years. In fact, 67% of patients were still in remission from clinical depression five years after their treatment.

Let that sink in.

For people living with major depressive disorder (MDD), a condition that often resists traditional treatment and requires ongoing medication or therapy, this is a truly groundbreaking finding. And while researchers and experts alike urge caution and continued study, the implications for the future of mental health care and psychedelic-assisted therapy are both promising and profound.

A Look Back: The 2020 Breakthrough

This new study follows up on participants from a 2020 clinical trial (the first of its kind) published in JAMA Psychiatry. That original study included 24 individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Half received psilocybin-assisted therapy early in the trial, while the other half received it after an eight-week delay.

In addition to the single psilocybin dose, each participant also engaged in 11 hours of supportive psychotherapy. The results, even one month after the treatment, were impressive: 17 of the 24 patients reported improvements in their depression symptoms. Even more encouraging, 14 of them were in full remission.

As the researchers noted at the time, “The effectiveness of psilocybin therapy after a single or only a few administrations represents another substantial advantage over commonly used antidepressants that require daily administration.”

In other words, this isn’t just about symptom management. It’s about the possibility of long-term transformation.

Fast Forward to 2025: How Are They Doing Now?

The follow-up study reconnected with 21 of those original participants, now five years post-treatment. And what they found is enough to turn heads in both psychiatry and psychedelic medicine:

• 67% reported they were still in remission from depression
• Many had less anxiety and found daily life easier to navigate
• Even those whose depression returned noted lasting improvements in how they approached life, managed challenges, and found meaning

“Most people who participated in our trial reported improvements in depression symptom intensity or in the ways in which they experienced depression in their life, lasting up to five years after the trial,” said study co-author Alan Davis, director of the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education at The Ohio State University, in an interview with Fox News Digital.

And although the researchers were careful to note that various factors, like life changes or other treatments, may have influenced these outcomes, the core message remains: something powerful happened in that psilocybin session, and it stuck.

What This Could Mean for the Future of Mental Health

Doug Drysdale, CEO of Canadian psychedelic pharmaceutical company Cybin, who was not involved in the study, called the findings “very encouraging.”

He added, “The results of the study are certainly very exciting,” speaking to the growing potential of psychedelic-based treatments not only for MDD but for a wide range of mental health conditions.

Experts agree that more research is needed, especially larger, randomized controlled trials with broader participant pools. But the early evidence is building momentum, and so is hope.

“These findings are very interesting, and I am cautiously optimistic about the potential for extended efficacy provided by these types of treatments,” said Drysdale.

Not Just Depression: Exploring Broader Applications

Beyond MDD, psilocybin is also being studied for its potential to support those with postpartum depression (PPD), a condition that affects up to one in seven new mothers. A 2022 study suggested that psilocybin could help catalyze a deep sense of reconnection — to oneself, to life, and to others.

“This effect in PPD, by fostering a sense of ‘reconnection’ for the mother, may allow for improved mood and maternal sensitivity toward the infant,” researchers wrote. This, in turn, can positively impact both maternal wellbeing and the mother-infant bond.

Currently, a second-phase clinical trial is underway at Cleveland Clinic to investigate a single-dose psilocybin-like drug (RE104) for PPD. The study includes a wealth of physical and psychological assessments to understand both safety and effectiveness.

Why the Setting Matters

While the results are exciting, experts continue to emphasize the importance of medical oversight and safe settings when using psychedelics for mental health.

“Psychedelic experiences can sometimes feature anxiety, hallucinations and paranoia,” warned Ryan Moss, chief science officer at Filament Health. Careful preparation, supervision, and integration support are essential to ensure a positive and therapeutic experience.

“There is therapeutic potential if very carefully studied under very strict medical guidance,” said Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center. However, both he and other leading researchers caution against unregulated or recreational use, especially for individuals with underlying health conditions or vulnerabilities.

A Cautiously Optimistic Future

As with any emerging treatment, psilocybin’s journey from stigma to science is unfolding step by step. The five-year data is not a conclusive cure, but it’s a major signal that this avenue deserves further exploration.

For those who’ve felt stuck, who’ve tried multiple antidepressants, and who crave lasting relief, this study offers something invaluable: possibility.

Imagine a future where a single, supported therapeutic session can set someone on a new path. Where remission isn’t a temporary reprieve, but a long-term reality. That future isn’t a fantasy anymore — it’s beginning to take shape.