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Psilocybin and Depression: What Does the Research Say?

Last updated: June 2026
This guide is regularly updated with the latest insights from psychedelic research.

A couple of decades ago, the idea of using psilocybin to treat depression would have sounded completely absurd. After the 1960s, psychedelic research ground almost entirely to a halt and the idea fell out of favour. Thankfully, thanks to the persistence of certain scientists and organisations, that research has made a comeback, with results that far exceed expectations. Let's dive into the findings, while staying honest about what they do and don't mean.

What are psychedelic mushrooms?

Psilocybin mushrooms and depression

Psychedelic mushrooms, better known as psilocybin mushrooms or magic mushrooms, contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin. It produces a hallucinogenic, trip-like effect that lasts a few hours. More than 180 species grow worldwide, varying in strength and size. People have used these mushrooms for thousands of years in rituals and traditions. Psilocybin can bring on a spiritual or mystical experience, alter your sense of time and space, produce colourful visuals and intensify emotions. It's a powerful substance to treat with caution and respect. In this article you'll read why researchers see it as a promising tool for treatment-resistant depression.

What does the psilocybin research show?

Psilocybin research into depression

In the 1950s and 1960s, psychedelics were tested on around 40,000 people, and more than a thousand scientific papers were published on their potential as a psychiatric treatment. When recreational use spread, they were banned and the research went underground.

Since the early 2000s, research has resumed in earnest despite the stigma. The results are fascinating and have drawn attention from both the media and investors. In 2020 alone, seventeen psychedelic trials were running, thirteen of them on psilocybin. That wave of research has produced some remarkable findings.

Psilocybin for depression: the key study

In a study of people with major depression, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers reported that two psilocybin sessions, combined with supportive psychotherapy, produced rapid reductions in depressive symptoms. Most participants showed marked improvement. More striking still: slightly more than half achieved remission and no longer met the criteria for depression during the four-week follow-up. These results were published in JAMA Psychiatry and can be read in Davis et al. (2021).

It's important to stress: these results were achieved in a strictly controlled setting with trained professionals. They are not a justification to experiment on your own. Want to see more? Roland Griffiths, Ph.D., discusses his research in this video, and a participant in the Johns Hopkins study shares his experience here.

Please note: The research discussed here took place under the strict guidance of trained professionals. If you have severe depression or a mental health condition, do not take psilocybin on your own. Always consult your doctor or therapist about the best options for you.

When will psilocybin treatment become available?

Psilocybin treatment for depression

More and more US cities are decriminalising psilocybin, centres for psilocybin-assisted therapy are being built, and the research yields more positive results each year. Estimates vary, but many experts believe broader access is a matter of years away.

Until then, retreats can be found in countries where psilocybin is permitted or decriminalised. In the Netherlands, the root-like part of the mushroom, better known as magic truffles or psilocybin truffles, is legal.

Beyond depression, psilocybin is also being studied as a tool for self-discovery and expanded awareness. The outdated idea that psychedelic mushrooms damage brain cells has been debunked by research; studies suggest psilocybin actually helps neurons form new connections, opening up room to look at a problem differently.

Want to buy psilocybin truffles or grow your own mushrooms? At Next Level you'll find high-quality psilocybin truffles and magic mushroom grow kits to grow at home. Growing may sound daunting, so we provide easy step-by-step instructions. We ship from the Netherlands to many countries and are happy to help via customer service.

Common myths debunked

Plenty of stubborn misconceptions still surround psychedelics, from "it's addictive" to "you lose touch with reality for good". We set the record straight in our article on six myths about psychedelic drugs.

Frequently asked questions about psilocybin and depression

Can psilocybin cure depression?

Research such as the Johns Hopkins study shows a rapid, strong reduction in depressive symptoms when treatment is given under professional supervision. "Cure" is too strong a word; these are promising clinical results that are still being studied and regulated.

Is psilocybin treatment legal yet in the Netherlands?

Psilocybin mushrooms are banned in the Netherlands, but magic truffles (psilocybin truffles) are legal. There is no approved medical psilocybin treatment here yet; the research is ongoing.

Can I use psilocybin on my own for depression?

We advise against it. The research results come from a controlled setting with trained guides. If you have severe depression, always consult your doctor or therapist.

Do psychedelic mushrooms damage your brain?

That idea has been debunked by research. Studies actually suggest psilocybin can stimulate the formation of new neural connections. Responsible, prepared use remains important, of course.

What's the difference between mushrooms and truffles here?

Both contain psilocybin, but mushrooms are banned in the Netherlands while truffles are legal. Read about the difference between mushrooms and truffles.

How do I prepare safely for a psilocybin experience?

Set and setting are crucial. Read our guide on avoiding a bad trip and inform yourself well before you begin.

Why Next Level Smart?

Active since 2010 as a Dutch smart shop for ethnobotanical products
Legal psilocybin truffles and grow kits from a carefully curated range
Clear growing and preparation guides for a mindful experience
Shipping from the Netherlands to many countries, with customer service by email

Browse Our Magic Truffles

*Always take psilocybin mushrooms or truffles in a safe setting, preferably with an experienced guide or a trusted friend nearby. Read our guidelines first in this guide to truffles.

Source: Davis et al., JAMA Psychiatry (2021) | Last updated: June 2026 | Next Level Smart

Posted in: All posts, Psychedelics Blogs, Magic Mushrooms Blogs, Smartshop Blogs

Author: Annie Verkade

Annie Verkade is a writer at Next Level Smartshop with a background in philology. She writes about natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals, sleep support, and plant-based products. Her work also explores altered states of consciousness - both with and without psychedelics - as well as topics like astrology and lunar cycles, translating insights into clear, accessible content. She’s especially interested in how simple rituals and environment can shift how we feel (sometimes more than we expect). Outside of work, she enjoys photography, reading, bouldering, and travelling. Favourite products: Sagrada Madre incense, Mulungu, Sleep Tincture