Magic mushroom compound ‘opens up depressed people’s brains’, study suggests

But the authors caution that while the findings are encouraging, patients with depression should not attempt to self-medicate with psilocybin.

Magic mushrooms (Alamy/PA)

The psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms helps to open up depressed people’s brains and make them less fixed in negative thinking patterns, a study has suggested.

According to the study, psilocybin made the brain more flexible, working differently from regular antidepressants, even weeks after use.