Psilocybin, the main psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms, could alleviate depression for at least five years after just one dose, according to a new study.

The research, presented June 18 at the Psychedelic Science 2025 conference in Denver, followed up with patients who had been diagnosed with clinical depression — also known as major depressive disorder (MDD) — and had participated in a previous psilocybin treatment study in 2020.

“Most people who participated in our trial reported improvements in depression symptom intensity or in the ways in which they experienced depression in their life, lasting up to five years after the trial,” study co-author Alan Davis, director of the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education at The Ohio State University, told Fox News Digital.

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Doug Drysdale, CEO of the Canadian pharmaceutical company Cybin in Toronto, Ontario, told Fox News Digital that the outcome speaks to the “exciting” potential of psilocybin and other psychedelic-based treatments in treating MDD and other mental health conditions.

“The results of the study are certainly very encouraging,” said Drysdale, who was not involved in the study.

Earlier studies pointed toward the possibility of psilocybin as a potential antidepressant, prompting researchers to conduct the first-ever randomized clinical trial.

The initial 2020 trial, published in JAMA Psychiatry, included 24 patients with major depressive disorder. Half received psilocybin at the beginning of the trial, and the other half received the treatment eight weeks later. 

Each patient also underwent 11 hours of psychotherapy.

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One month after treatment, 17 patients reported experiencing symptom relief. Fourteen of those reported full remission from depression, according to the published study.

“The effectiveness of psilocybin therapy after a single or only a few administrations represents another substantial advantage over commonly used antidepressants that require daily administration,” the researchers wrote.

Patients appeared to respond much faster to psychedelics than to traditional antidepressants, the researchers stated. (James MacDonald/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The new study aimed to explore the longer-term effects of this treatment on 21 of the original trial participants.

Sixty-seven percent reported being in remission from depression five years after treatment, and they also had less anxiety and easier daily functioning.

“The study doesn’t account for naturalistic changes that could have affected their depression in the five years since the main trial.”

For those whose depression came back, many still reported lasting benefits in their attitudes, perspectives and ability to pursue things that were meaningful to them, Davis told Fox News Digital.

“Certainly, more controlled and rigorous study is required, but at least anecdotally, these findings are very interesting, and I am cautiously optimistic about the potential for extended efficacy provided by these types of treatments,” Drysdale added.

Sixty-seven percent of participants reported being in remission from depression five years after treatment, and they also had less anxiety and easier daily functioning. (JASON CONNOLLY/AFP via Getty Images)

Other factors may have also played a role in the participants’ long-term mental health benefits, such as psychotherapy sessions or other antidepressants, experts agreed.

“The study doesn’t account for naturalistic changes that could have affected their depression in the five years since the main trial, and the sample is not representative of the population of people suffering with depression,” Davis told Fox News Digital.

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Psilocybin has also been explored as a potential treatment for post-partum depression (PPD), which affects as many as one in seven new mothers.

A 2022 study outlined the potential role of psychedelics in PPD cases, finding that psilocybin has been shown to catalyze a sense of “reconnection” in new mothers.

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“This effect in PPD, by fostering a sense of ‘reconnection’ for the mother, may allow for improved mood and maternal sensitivity toward the infant, which can positively impact maternal role gratification and the mother-infant relationship,” the researchers stated.

In February, Cleveland Clinic reported on an upcoming study that explores single-dosing psilocybin as a way to treat PPD.

Psilocybin has been explored as a potential treatment for post-partum depression (PPD), which affects as many as one in seven new mothers. (iStock)

The trial, now in its second phase, focuses on RE104, a proprietary drug similar to psilocybin. 

Study participants will undergo multiple physical and mental health tests.

Potential risks and limitations

Ryan Moss, chief science officer at Filament Health, a clinical-stage natural psychedelic drug development company in Canada, has emphasized the importance of administering psychedelics in a safe setting when treating mental health conditions.

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“Psychedelic experiences can sometimes feature anxiety, hallucinations and paranoia,” Moss previously told Fox News Digital. 

Experts recommend that therapeutic use of psychedelics should be carefully managed by medical experts.

“Some patients using traditional psychedelics have reported experiencing adverse cardiovascular events during clinical trials.”

To mitigate these risks, Moss recommended clinical trial participants receive thorough preparation and monitoring by trained professionals during sessions. 

Other factors may have also played a role in the participants’ long-term mental health benefits, noted an expert (not pictured), such as psychotherapy sessions or other antidepressants. (iStock)

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and Fox News’ senior medical analyst, previously interviewed two of the country’s top researchers on psychedelics: Dr. Rachel Yehuda, founder and director of the Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research at Mt. Sinai in New York, and Dr. Charles Marmar, director of the PTSD research program at NYU Langone.

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“They agree there is therapeutic potential if very carefully studied under very strict medical guidance, but there is a huge downside in terms of unregulated recreational uses,” Siegel told Fox News Digital at the time.

“Both doctors see likely therapeutic value to psychedelics if carefully managed by medical experts,” Siegel added.

Melissa Rudy and Angelica Stabile, both of Fox News Digital, contributed reporting.

An experimental weight-loss medication was shown to help people lose nearly 25% of their body weight in early-stage 1a/2b trials.

The drug, amycretin — developed by Novo Nordisk — works by replicating two hunger hormones — amylin, which regulates appetite and creates a feeling of fullness, and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), the same hormone that is used in Ozempic and Wegovy to suppress appetite and boost insulin secretion.

“Amycretin is the first treatment to harness the two distinct biological pathways stimulated by amylin and GLP-1 in a single molecule,” Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president and head of development at Novo Nordisk, previously said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital.

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In the study, which included 125 overweight or obese adults, participants who received weekly injections of amycretin lost more weight than those who took a placebo, according to a press release from Novo Nordisk.

Those who got the highest doses (up to 60 mg) lost up to 24.3% pounds after 36 weeks, compared to just 1.1% for the placebo group, per the release.

A previous phase 1 trial of the oral (pill) version of amycretin also showed that treatment was “safe and tolerable,” with an “observed reduction in body weight” compared to placebo, the company stated.

Taking the pill once a day led to around 10% weight loss, and those who doubled the dose lost 13%.

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Another benefit the researchers highlighted is that people taking amycretin did not appear to hit a “weight-loss plateau,” continuing to shed pounds as long as they took it.

“The lack of weight loss plateauing indicates the possibility of achieving further weight reductions with extended treatment,” Agnes Gasoirek, a senior clinical pharmacology specialist at Novo Nordisk, wrote in the phase 1 study findings.

Novo Nordisk presented the latest findings at the American Diabetes Association in Chicago on June 22. ((Photo by LISELOTTE SABROE/Scanpix Denmark/AFP via Getty Images))

Novo Nordisk presented the latest findings at the American Diabetes Association in Chicago on June 22; they were also published in the medical journal Lancet.

“We are pleased with the promising results of amycretin and the feedback from regulatory authorities and are excited to advance both subcutaneous and oral versions of this molecule into phase 3 development for weight management,” said Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president for Development at Novo Nordisk, in the release. 

“Amycretin is the first treatment to harness the two distinct biological pathways stimulated by amylin and GLP-1 in a single molecule.”

“These results reflect our robust pipeline in obesity, [and] our focus on progressing scientific innovation and expanding the range of options available to patients and healthcare professionals.”

The most common side effects of amycretin, similar to other GLP-1s, were gastrointestinal symptoms — primarily nausea, vomiting and decreased appetite.

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Adverse events were “mild to moderate” in severity, according to researchers. More frequent doses resulted in greater side effects.

It’s important to monitor these side effects closely, experts advise, as GI issues are common among patients with obesity. 

“Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease that requires a comprehensive, long-term approach,” a doctor said. (iStock)

“While the initial weight-loss outcomes are indeed encouraging, further studies are needed to ensure that the therapeutic benefits consistently outweigh the potential risks, especially with long-term administration,” Dr. Christine Ren-Fielding, director and chief of bariatric surgery at the NYU Langone Weight Management Program, previously told Fox News Digital.

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While GLP-1-based drugs — including this new experimental pill — may show promising results, Ren-Fielding, who was not involved in the study, emphasized that they’re “not a cure-all for obesity.”

“Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease that requires a comprehensive, long-term approach,” she said at the time.

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“Pharmacological treatments can play a significant role in managing the condition, but they are often most effective when combined with other interventions.”

Next, Novo Nordisk plans to prepare for phase 3 trials of the medication, in both oral and injectable forms, for the management of obesity.

Taking longer walks could actually improve back pain, according to a new study.

Researchers in Norway investigated how chronic low back pain, a “prevalent and costly condition,” could be reduced by regular physical activity, including accessible walking.

The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, measured daily walking volume and walking intensity among more than 11,000 participants over the age of 20.

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The participants then reported any incidences of lower back pain lasting three months or longer in the past year.

Walking for more than 100 minutes per day resulted in a 23% lower risk of pain compared to walking less than 78 minutes per day, according to the results.

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Walking intensity was also associated with chronic lower back pain risk, but to a “lesser degree” than walking volume, researchers noted.

Walking for more than 100 minutes per day resulted in a 23% lower risk of pain, a recent study found. (iStock)

“In this cohort study, daily walking volume and walking intensity were inversely associated with the risk of chronic [lower back pain],” the study concluded. 

“The findings suggest that walking volume may have a more pronounced benefit than walking intensity.”

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“These findings suggest that policies and public health strategies promoting walking could help to reduce the occurrence of chronic [lower back pain].”

A senior couple jogs side by side on a bridge, laughing and smiling as they enjoy their fitness routine in the radiant sunshine, promoting health, wellness, and joy. (iStock)

Dr. Arthur L. Jenkins III, board-certified neurosurgeon and founder of Jenkins NeuroSpine in New York City, confirmed in an interview with Fox News Digital that long walks “are good,” as long as other orthopedic issues don’t make it difficult to walk.

“I always encourage my patients to walk, and to engage their core (squeeze their abs and back) while walking to exercise more than just their legs, and straighten their backs,” he advised.

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Statistics show that more than one-quarter of Americans report experiencing chronic lower back or sciatic pain.

Fox News Digital reached out to the study authors for comment.

Diabetes is the leading cause of vision loss in people between 18 and 64 years old, according to the American Diabetes Association — and the best way to prevent this is to control blood sugar levels.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s), such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, have become popular medications for controlling diabetes and treating obesity — but new Canadian research suggests they can also lead to a paradoxical side effect in the form of eye problems.

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A retrospective study conducted from January 2020 to November 2023 included more than 139,000 diabetic patients, some of whom were taking GLP-1s for at least six months and some who were not taking the medications over a three-year period.

The average age of the participants was 66 years old, and approximately 47% were women.

Researchers found that the participants taking the weight-loss medications had twice the risk of developing neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) compared to the people not taking them.

“There have been growing reports of [eye] adverse events with GLP-1 receptor agonists, but no clear consensus regarding their impact on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) progression,” study author Dr. Rajeev Muni, an ophthalmologist and vice-chair of clinical research in the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto, told Fox News Digital.

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“In particular, we observed a dose-response relationship — the longer patients were exposed to these medications, the greater their risk appeared to be,” added author Reut Shor, a researcher in the department of ophthalmology and vision sciences at the University of Toronto.

The findings were published in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology.

What is age-related macular degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of vision loss in those aged 50 and older in the developing world, according to the American Society of Retinal Specialists.

Approximately 20 million adults in the U.S. have the condition.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) have been linked to a higher risk of eye disease. (iStock)

It mainly affects people’s central vision, which means they have a challenging time seeing in front of them, but their peripheral vision is intact, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

There are two types of AMD – dry and wet. 

Dry AMD, the most common type, occurs when small yellow deposits of protein develop under the macula, but symptoms may not occur in the early stages, experts said.

“The longer patients were exposed to these medications, the greater their risk appeared to be.”

In about two out of every 10 cases, dry AMD develops into wet AMD — also known as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

With this more advanced type of disease, abnormal blood vessels form under the retina and start to leak, causing damage to the central part of the retina, known as the macula, according to WebMD.

Researchers found that the participants taking GLP-1s had twice the risk of developing neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) compared to people not taking them. (iStock)

“When this occurs, symptoms include loss of central vision, distortions in vision and blank areas missing in the central vision,” Nishika Reddy, M.D., assistant professor of ophthalmology at Moran Eye Center’s Midvalley Health Center at the University of Utah, told Fox News Digital. (She was not part of the study.)

Risk factors for nAMD include chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease and diabetes – all of which often overlap with those who take GLP-1s, experts confirmed.

Limitations and recommendations

The study authors cautioned that their findings should be taken in the context of the overall higher risk of eye disease in older people.

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The incidence of nAMD in the general population is about one in 1,000, and it doubled to two in 1,000 for the group taking the GLP-1s in the study.

However, the overall absolute risk is still small, according to the researchers.

The study’s main limitation is that it was observational in nature, meaning the researchers could not confirm that GLP-1s medications cause neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

The incidence of nAMD in the general population is about one in 1,000, and it doubled to two in 1,000 for the group taking the GLP-1s in the study. (iStock)

The study also could not draw conclusions about younger populations, the researchers acknowledged.

“Also, our findings apply only to diabetic patients aged 66 years or older, and cannot be directly generalized to non-diabetic individuals using GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss,” Shor told Fox News Digital.

“While the risk of developing macular degeneration while on a GLP-1 drug is low, patients should be aware of the possible eye side effects.”

GLP-1 receptors are present in the retina regardless of age or diabetes status — so theoretically, the risk could apply to younger populations.

More research is needed to better understand why diabetic people on GLP-1s have increased eye disease, Shor said.

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“While the risk of developing macular degeneration while on a GLP-1 drug is low, patients should be aware of the possible eye side effects related to these types of medications,” Reddy said.

If someone notices blurred or distorted vision, straight lines appearing wavy, or any new blind spots, they should seek medical attention, according to Muni.

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Early detection of eye disease is crucial, experts agree, as timely treatment can reduce the risk of vision loss.

The study authors said they hope their findings will empower patients to monitor for early symptoms.