Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board Finds the Psychedelic Reduces Depression and Anxiety

An eight-week review of more than 600 scientific studies and medical research on the effects of the psychedelic psilocybin on mental health conditions, conducted by a team of medical researchers in Oregon, found that the hallucinogenic properties in so-called magic mushrooms is effective in “reducing depression and anxiety, including life-threatening conditions.” 

The report was released this week by a subcommittee of the newly formed Psilocybin Advisory Board, a group of doctors, researchers, fungi experts, therapists, health experts, and social workers charged with creating Oregon’s state regulatory framework for the therapeutic use of psilocybin, using science as its guide. 

Last November, voters passed Measure 109 making Oregon the country’s first state to legalize psilocybin for therapeutic and medicinal purposes. That started a two-year clock for the state to develop a psilocybin-assisted therapy program. One of the first efforts toward achieving that goal was creating the Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board, which convened a subcommittee to review evidence of psilocybin’s therapeutic potential. 

Not only did the committee’s report highlight psilocybin’s potential to quell symptoms of anxiety and depression, it also suggested psilocybin could be effective at treating alcohol and tobacco addiction. The committee also offered recommendations to the Oregon Health Authority regarding the future licensing and distributing of psilocybin. 

Twice in past four years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted psilocybin “breakthrough therapy designation” for the treatment of major depressive disorder based on previous research that found the psychedelic significantly improved symptoms of depression better than currently available treatments. 

The subcommittee’s review is the largest of its kind to be conducted in the state. It also marks the first time a state agency has conducted comprehensive research into the medical and therapeutic potential of a psychedelic medicine. 

“It’s another proof point in the growing evidence that psilocybin can be an effective treatment for healing and growth,” said Sam Chapman, campaign manager for Yes on Measure 109, in a statement.