Psilocybin Shows Promise for Long COVID Symptoms in New Study
Millions of people continue to struggle with long COVID. Now, new research suggests psilocybin mushrooms may offer relief. A study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs analyzed over 100 firsthand accounts from Reddit users who tried psilocybin for their symptoms. The results point to a treatment option worth watching.
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Key Takeaways
| Finding | Detail |
|---|---|
| Improvement Rate | 78.2% of users reported symptom relief |
| Worsening Rate | 11.8% experienced worsening symptoms |
| Lasting Effects | 77.9% of responders saw benefits beyond the acute experience |
| Top Symptoms Treated | Fatigue (47.3%), cognitive impairment (46.4%), depression (30%) |
| Study Method | Analysis of Reddit communities r/LongCovid and r/covidlonghaulers |
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A Treatment Gap Demands New Solutions
Long COVID currently lacks effective pharmaceutical options. Patients report persistent fatigue, brain fog, depression and anxiety months after their initial infection. The Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve researchers behind this study recognized a clear need. They turned to online communities where patients share real experiences.
The team searched Reddit for posts mentioning psilocybin, shrooms and magic mushrooms. They identified 110 posts from users who described their long COVID symptoms and their response to psilocybin.
What the Data Reveals
The numbers tell a compelling story. Nearly 8 in 10 users reported some level of improvement. Most saw benefits that lasted well beyond the psychedelic experience itself. Fatigue and cognitive impairment topped the list of symptoms treated.
Not everyone improved. About 12% reported their symptoms got worse. This finding underscores the need for controlled clinical trials.
The Road Ahead
These results cannot prove psilocybin treats long COVID. Reddit posts offer valuable signals but not clinical evidence. The researchers call for prospective observational studies and comparisons with other self treatments.
For the long COVID community, this research adds to growing interest in psychedelic medicine. Dr. Joel Castellanos at UC San Diego has documented similar patient reports. His team is preparing a case study on a patient who found dramatic relief with psilocybin and MDMA.
The science remains early. But for patients exhausted by failed treatments, these findings offer a reason to stay hopeful.
