Creating less trippy, more therapeutic 'magic mushrooms'
Medical Xpress
March 6, 2026
Psilocybin—the psychoactive compound in "magic mushrooms"—is gaining scientific attention for its potential in treating neuropsychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety, substance use disorders and certain neurodegenerative diseases. However, its hallucinogenic effects may limit broader therapeutic applications. Researchers publishing in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry synthesized modified versions of psilocin, the active form of psilocybin, that retained its activity while producing fewer hallucinogenic-like effects than pharmaceutical-grade psilocybin in a preliminary study in mice.
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Originally published on Medical Xpress on 3/6/2026