04/17/2025
A recent Phase I study assessing the feasibility and tolerability study on 12 patients with Parkinson's disease has been creating waves. Parkinson's is a common neurodegenerative disease, exerting a huge toll both on those suffering from it, and their loved ones, and effective treatments are lacking.
The primary objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy might be for treating the mood dysfunction associated with Parkinson's.
The treatment consisted of two psilocybin sessions: the first with 10mg, then a larger 25mg dose two weeks later. The results were compelling - mood dysfunction was significantly improved (with a large effect size) at three months follow-up after the second psilocybin session, and anxiety was also significantly decreased.
Not only this, but the symptoms of Parkinson's itself were significantly improved after psilocybin. Patients were significantly improved in all domains at every post-treatment timepoint, and benefits persisted at three months following the last psilocybin session.
While these results are impressive, it should be noted that this is a small, proof-of-concept pilot study, without a control group. Further research is needed, and is in the pipeline - a follow-up Phase II study is in the works.
If you know anyone in the Bay area who could be interested, please let them know:
https://psychedelics.ucsf.edu/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41386-025-02097-0
