By Stephen Beech

Most depression patients treated with the psychedelic compound found in "magic mushrooms" are still free of symptoms five years later, according to new research.

Two-thirds of clinical trial participants treated with psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depressive disorder were in "complete remission" from their depression after five years, say American scientists.

The study involved participants from a trial published in 2021 that found psilocybin - the primary psychedelic substance in magic mushrooms - combined with psychotherapy in adults was effective at treating major depressive disorder.

An average of five years after the clinical trial, a majority of participants reported lasting depression remission as well as improvement in a range of well-being measures.

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