Pharmacological Actions

Antidepressant / mood support^{[5, 11, 12]}

Psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression (clinical trials)

Anxiolytic / calming^{[5, 7, 12]}

Reduces anxiety; preclinical fear-memory extinction

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Low mood / depression^{[5, 11, 12]}Moderate · 6/10

Psilocybin-assisted therapy reduced depression in clinical trials

more plants for low mood / depression →detailed sources →

Anxiety^{[5, 7, 12]}Moderate · 5/10

Reduced anxiety in clinical and preclinical studies

more plants for anxiety →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[11, 12]}Caution

Psilocybin is physiologically non-toxic and non-addictive in clinical contexts. Psychological risks include anxiety, paranoia, and triggering of latent psychiatric conditions (contraindicated in personal or family history of psychosis or schizophrenia). Use only in appropriate clinical/ceremonial settings with trained supervision. Illegal in most jurisdictions. Avoid mixing with lithium (seizure risk).

Safety note^{[11, 12]}Info

Duke (2002) does not include a dedicated entry for psilocybin mushrooms (Psilocybe cubensis) in the Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition.

References

REF-1516, REF-1517, REF-1518, REF-1519, REF-1520, REF-1521, REF-1522, REF-1523, REF-1524, REF-1525

References & Sources

Thaoboonruang, N., Lohitnavy, M. and Lohitnavy, O (2025) 'Pharmacokinetics of Psilocybin, a Tryptamine Alkaloid in Magic Mushroom (Psilocybe cubensis): A Systematic Review', Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 57(4), pp. 386-398. doi:10.1080/02791072.2024.2399128 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2024.2399128
Thaoboonruang, N., Lohitnavy, O., Ya, K. and Lohitnavy, M (2025) 'Development of a PBPK model of psilocybin/psilocin from Psilocybe cubensis (magic mushroom) in mice, rats, and humans', Scientific Reports, 15(1), pp. 13721. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-98202-w Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98202-w
Goff, R., Smith, M., Islam, S., Sisley, S. and others (2023) 'Determination of psilocybin and psilocin content in multiple Psilocybe cubensis mushroom strains using liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry', Analytica Chimica Acta, 1288, pp. 342161. doi:10.1016/j.aca.2023.342161 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2023.342161
Cavanna, F., Muller, S., de la Fuente, L.A., Zamberlan, F. and others (2022) 'Microdosing with psilocybin mushrooms: a double-blind placebo-controlled study', Translational Psychiatry, 12(1), pp. 307. doi:10.1038/s41398-022-02039-0 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-022-02039-0
Hernandez-Leon, A., Escamilla-Orozco, R.I., Tabal-Robles, A.R., Martinez-Vargas, D. and others (2024) 'Antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like activities and acute toxicity evaluation of the Psilocybe cubensis mushroom in experimental models in mice', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 320, pp. 117415. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2023.117415 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2023.117415
Gotvaldova, K., Hajkova, K., Borovicka, J., Jurok, R. and others (2021) 'Stability of psilocybin and its four analogs in the biomass of the psychotropic mushroom Psilocybe cubensis', Drug Testing and Analysis, 13(2), pp. 439-446. doi:10.1002/dta.2950 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.2950
Ghofrani-Jahromi, Z., Nouri-Darehno, S., Rahimi-Danesh, M., Talaee, N. and others (2024) 'Psilocybe cubensis extract potently prevents fear memory recall and freezing behavior in short- but not long-term in a rat model of posttraumatic stress disorder', Behavioral Neuroscience, 138(2), pp. 73-84. doi:10.1037/bne0000579 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1037/bne0000579
Nkadimeng, S.M., Steinmann, C.M.L. and Eloff, J.N (2020) 'Effects and safety of Psilocybe cubensis and Panaeolus cyanescens magic mushroom extracts on endothelin-1-induced hypertrophy and cell injury in cardiomyocytes', Scientific Reports, 10(1), pp. 22314. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-79328-5 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-79328-5
Badham, E.R (1984) 'Ethnobotany of psilocybin mushrooms, especially Psilocybe cubensis', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 10(2), pp. 249-254. doi:10.1016/0378-8741(84)90007-2 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(84)90007-2
Kurzbaum, E., Palenicek, T., Shrchaton, A., Azerrad, S. and others (2025) 'Exploring Psilocybe Strains: Cultivation Techniques, Psychoactive Compounds, Genetics and Research Gaps', Journal of Fungi, 11(2), pp. 99. doi:10.3390/jof11020099 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11020099
Carhart-Harris, R.L. et al (2016) 'Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study', 3(7), pp. 619--627. Clinical study
Find this source
Griffiths, R.R. et al (2016) 'Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer', 30(12), pp. 1181--1197. Randomized trial
Find this source

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