Psilocybin can relieve depressive symptoms in some adults for up to a year, study suggests

The active ingredient in magic mushrooms may be able to relieve symptoms in adults suffering from major depressive disorder for up to a year, according to a new study.

Scientists have been increasingly investigating whether psychedelics could have therapeutic use for those struggling with poor mental health over the past couple of decades.

Previous research into psilocybin, found in magic mushrooms, has suggested that it can relieve depressive symptoms for a month.

Now, researchers at John Hopkins Medicine have followed up on that research with a study published Tuesday in the Journal of Psychopharmacology that suggests the positive effect of psilocybin can last for a year.

Researchers followed 27 participants who had a long-term history with depression, 88 per cent of whom had previously tried standard antidepressant medication.