Can magic mushrooms treat depression?
In the largest study of its kind, researchers have found that a psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms can drastically improve severe depression. Scientists even claim that one day the drug could ‘cure’ the common mental health disorder.
We’re joined by a previous study participant, Kirk Rutter, to talk about his experience with the psychedelic drug. And as the hallucinogen still remains illegal, Dr Ellie takes us through some of the current treatments available.
Kirk Rutter described the trial as being profound and said: "It was life changing, it was positive, it has left me with a much deeper appreciation of nature.
If you think about what we just have all been through, this awful pandemic and lockdown and having gone through that without relapsing into depression and coming out okay actually the connection to nature I have are from that trial."
Speaking about whether it is likely it would be rolled out, Dr Ellie added: "They are certainly very promising results but like with any medication it needs to be rolled out to a much larger scale trial before we are recommending it."