For decades, treatment for Parkinson’s disease has largely focused on easing motor symptoms like tremors and stiffness. But many people with Parkinson’s also struggle with depression and anxiety, often long before any physical signs appear. Now, a small but groundbreaking study suggests that psilocybin therapy for Parkinson’s disease might help not just mood, but also movement and thinking abilities.
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) were initially aiming to study psilocybin’s safety in Parkinson’s patients. Instead, they found that a single high-dose session, paired with psychotherapy, produced surprisingly broad improvements that lasted for months.
What Is Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin is the natural psychedelic compound found in "magic mushrooms." Once inside the body, it transforms into psilocin, which affects serotonin receptors in the brain. Earlier studies have shown that psilocybin, when combined with therapy, can quickly and durably lift mood in people with major depression and anxiety linked to terminal illnesses.
Experts believe psilocybin may promote neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new connections. This could be especially important in Parkinson’s, where disrupted brain networks contribute to both emotional and physical decline.
Study Design: A Focus on Safety and Early Impact
Twelve participants between the ages of 40 and 75 with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease joined the UCSF trial. Each underwent two supervised psilocybin sessions: first a low 10 mg dose, then a higher 25 mg dose two weeks later. Sessions were carefully paired with multiple therapy visits to help participants prepare, process, and integrate their experiences.
To monitor progress, researchers used detailed mood, movement, and cognitive tests, along with input from caregivers and close health monitoring throughout the sessions.
The Effects of Psilocybin Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
After the high-dose session, participants showed:
Significant reductions in depression and anxiety
Meaningful improvements in motor skills, including everyday activities and clinical motor exams
Better performance on cognitive tasks like memory and problem-solving
Positive changes noticed by family members, such as less distress and fewer behavior issues
Most of these improvements remained strong even three months later.
Mild anxiety and nausea were the most common side effects during the sessions. Although two participants had episodes of intense anxiety, there were no serious medical complications overall.
How Might Psilocybin Help Parkinson’s Symptoms?
While more research is needed, scientists suggest several ways psilocybin might help:
Mood improvements could indirectly boost motor function by reducing stress and brain inflammation.
Direct effects on brain chemistry could support better movement control, particularly through serotonin and dopamine pathways.
Enhanced neuroplasticity might help repair damaged brain networks.
These exciting possibilities point to psilocybin as more than just a mental health tool—it may also influence the course of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.
What’s Next for Psilocybin Research?
While the initial findings are promising, the study’s small size and lack of a placebo group mean results should be interpreted carefully. To build on these results, UCSF and Yale University have launched a larger trial with 100 participants. This new study will add brain imaging, noninvasive brain stimulation, and blood tests to better understand how psilocybin works at the biological level.
The hope is that one day, psilocybin could be part of routine care for Parkinson’s disease, improving not only mood but possibly slowing physical decline as well.
As Dr. Joshua Woolley, the senior author of the study, puts it: "The vast majority of brain diseases still lack interventions that change the course of illness. These results raise the exciting possibility that psilocybin may help the brain repair itself."
References:
Bradley, E.R., Sakai, K., Fernandes-Osterhold, G., et al. (2025). Psilocybin therapy for mood dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease: an open-label pilot trial. Neuropsychopharmacology.
Dolan, E.W. (2025, May 1). Psilocybin shows promise for improving mood, cognition, and motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease. PsyPost.
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