A groundbreaking pilot study conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has revealed that psilocybin—the psychoactive compound found in "magic mushrooms"—may significantly improve mood, cognition, and motor function in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Published in Neuropsychopharmacology, this study marks the first time a psychedelic has been tested in patients with a neurodegenerative disease. 

The study involved 12 participants with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease. Each received a low dose of 10 mg of psilocybin, followed two weeks later by a higher dose of 25 mg. Participants also engaged in psychotherapy sessions before and after the dosing. The results were promising: participants experienced sustained improvements in mood, cognitive flexibility, and motor symptoms, with benefits persisting for weeks after the treatment. 

Dr. Ellen Bradley, assistant professor and associate director of UCSF’s Translational Psychedelic Research Program (TrPR), noted, “Many people don't realize this, but mood symptoms in Parkinson's are linked to a faster physical decline. And they are actually a stronger predictor of patients' quality of life with Parkinson's than their motor symptoms.” 

While some participants reported mild side effects such as anxiety, nausea, and elevated blood pressure during the sessions, no serious adverse events occurred. The study's findings suggest that psilocybin could offer a novel approach to managing both the motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. 

The UCSF team plans to conduct larger, multi-site trials to further investigate psilocybin's potential in promoting neuroplasticity and repairing brain function. If future studies confirm these findings, psilocybin could become a transformative tool in the fight against Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.