What Is Psilocybin?
JAMA September 10, 2026 Kristin L. Walter
This JAMA Patient Page describes the psychedelic compound psilocybin, its medical and recreational use, and its potential side effects.
JAMA
ISSN 1538-3598
61 papers in the library · 4,588 citations · publishing 1960-2026
Papers
The Psychedelic Therapies Executive Order
JAMA July 1, 2026 I Glenn Cohen, Holly Fernandez Lynch, Al Mcguire
This Viewpoint discusses the executive order supporting the development and approval of psychedelic drugs and outlines issues surrounding their ethical and evidence-based integration into clinical care.
Nitrous Oxide Misuse
JAMA May 26, 2026 Christopher D. Raciti, Paul F. Ehlers, Kathy T. LeSaint
This JAMA Patient Page describes nitrous oxide misuse, potential complications of acute and long-term misuse, and treatment and prevention measures.
Psilocybin Trends in States That Decriminalized Use
JAMA March 12, 2026 Joshua C. Black, Gabrielle E. Bau, Ryan Cook et al. 2 citations
This survey study examines the estimated increase in 12-month psilocybin use in Oregon and Colorado associated with decriminalization.
Single Treatment With MM120 (Lysergide) in Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA October 21, 2025 Reid Robison, Robert Barrow, Craig Conant et al. 22 citations
Effective and well-tolerated pharmacotherapies for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, are needed. To determine the dose-response relationship of MM120 (lysergide D-tartrate) in adults with moderate to severe GAD. This phase 2b, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolled 198 adults aged 18 to 74 years with a...
Psychedelic Therapy Scrutinized by FDA Advisory Committee?
JAMA July 30, 2024 Mason Marks 20 citations
This Viewpoint analyzes the Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee’s decisions regarding 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine–assisted therapy and what they mean for psychedelic research.
Single-Dose Psilocybin Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder
JAMA August 31, 2023 Charles L. Raison, Gerard Sanacora, Joshua Woolley et al. 493 citations
Importance Psilocybin shows promise as a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). Objective To evaluate the magnitude, timing, and durability of antidepressant effects and safety of a single dose of psilocybin in patients with MDD. Design, Setting, and Participants In this phase 2 trial conducted between December 2019 and June 2022 at 11 research sites in the US, participants were...
Psychedelic Therapy—A New Paradigm of Care for Mental Health
JAMA August 31, 2023 Rachel Yehuda, Amy Lehrner 33 citations
An increasing number of clinicians and researchers have become interested in the potential of psychedelic drugs for the treatment of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, and addictions.1,2
Effects of Mindfulness Training and Exercise on Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA December 13, 2022 Eric J Lenze, Michelle Voegtle, J Philip Miller et al.
Episodic memory and executive function are essential aspects of cognitive functioning that decline with aging. This decline may be ameliorable with lifestyle interventions. To determine whether mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), exercise, or a combination of both improve cognitive function in older adults. This 2 × 2 factorial randomized clinical trial was conducted at 2 US sites...
Psilocybin for Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder
JAMA October 4, 2022 Anita Slomski 6 citations
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Legalization of Psychedelic Substances
JAMA December 21, 2021 Luke A. Downey, Jerome Sarris, Daniel Perkins 8 citations
Our website uses cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing to use our site, or clicking "Continue," you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy | Continue JAMA HomeNew OnlineCurrent IssueFor Authors Publications JAMA JAMA Network Open JAMA Cardiology JAMA Dermatology JAMA Health Forum JAMA Internal Medicine JAMA Neurology JAMA Oncology JAMA Ophthalmology JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck...
Two Models of Legalization of Psychedelic Substances: Reasons for Concern.
JAMA August 1, 2021 William R. Smith, Paul S. Appelbaum 60 citations
This Viewpoint reviews legalization initiatives for psychedelic substances and the concerns they raise by looking to the cautionary precedents involving the legalization and commercialization of other controlled substances.
Evolving Issues in the Treatment of Depression
JAMA May 24, 2019 Ole Köhler‐forsberg, Cristina Cusin, Andrew A. Nierenberg 18 citations
This Viewpoint discusses recent evidence documenting benefits of nonpharmacological and drug therapies for major depressive disorder including exercise, Mediterranean diet and structured dietary support, ketamine and esketamine, anti-inflammatory drugs, brexanolone, and psilocybin.
Considerations on the Off-label Use of Ketamine as a Treatment for Mood Disorders
JAMA August 14, 2017 Samuel T. Wilkinson, Gerard Sanacora 36 citations
This Viewpoint summarizes a number of important issues related to the clinical use of ketamine for the treatment of psychiatric disorders addressed in the consensus statement and provides suggestions for addressing remaining concerns.
Association of an Educational Program in Mindful Communication With Burnout, Empathy, and Attitudes Among Primary Care Physicians
JAMA September 22, 2009 Michael S. Krasner 1,652 citations
CONTEXT: Primary care physicians report high levels of distress, which is linked to burnout, attrition, and poorer quality of care. Programs to reduce burnout before it results in impairment are rare; data on these programs are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an intensive educational program in mindfulness, communication, and self-awareness is associated with improvement in primary care...
Imagery rehearsal therapy for chronic nightmares in sexual assault survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder: a randomized controlled trial.
JAMA August 1, 2001 Barry Krakow, M Hollifield, L Johnston et al.
Chronic nightmares occur frequently in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but are not usually a primary target of treatment. To determine if treating chronic nightmares with imagery rehearsal therapy (IRT) reduces the frequency of disturbing dreams, improves sleep quality, and decreases PTSD symptom severity. Randomized controlled trial conducted from 1995 to 1999 among 168...
LSD use among US high school students
JAMA February 9, 1994 Mark S. Gold 12 citations
To the Editor. —We have recently presented data 1 from our annual survey of 522 328 junior and senior school students from schools across the United States. This anonymous questionnaire on the prevalence of drug use was administered to all junior and senior students attending home rooms in these schools in 1993, and results were compared with 1992. Hallucinogen use increased significantly ( P t...
Better Living Through Brain Chemistry?
JAMA November 17, 1989 Brian Rees 1 citation
To the Editor. — I read with great interest the article by Dr Wagner 1 proposing that peace through mind/brain science may be an idea whose time has come. An obvious stumbling block is that the perpetrators of violence and belligerent behavior may not be available to be treated medically and/or that the numbers of those treated may not be sufficient to change societal trends. Recent data point...
A nowhere near-death experience: heavenly choirs interrupt myelography.
JAMA June 1, 1989
A nowhere near-death experience: heavenly choirs interrupt myelography.
(±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Selectively Damages Central Serotonergic Neurons in Nonhuman Primates
JAMA July 1, 1988 George A. Ricaurte 294 citations
(+/-)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a popular recreational drug that has been proposed to be useful as an adjunct to psychotherapy. This study assessed the neurotoxic potential of MDMA in nonhuman primates. Monkeys were repeatedly administered doses (2.50, 3.75, and 5.00 mg/kg) of MDMA subcutaneously and analyzed for regional brain content of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic...
The Complications of 'Ecstasy' (MDMA)
JAMA March 18, 1988 Jamyl Alrazi 91 citations
To the Editor. —Drs Brown and Osterloh,1in a recent letter inTHE JOURNAL, reported a nearly fatal toxic reaction to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The estimated dose of MDMA administered was 100 to 150 mg and the blood levels, measured at one and two hours after hospital admission, were 6500 and 7000 ng/mL, respectively. Before MDMA became a Schedule 1 drug on July 1, 1985,2it was...
Multiple Severe Complications From Recreational Ingestion of MDMA ('Ecstasy')
JAMA August 14, 1987 Christopher R. Brown 168 citations
To the Editor.— We would like to report the case of a young woman who suffered serious but reversible toxic reactions from a recreational dose of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy") and whose blood levels of MDMA were much higher than in any of the fatalities reported by Dowling et al.1 Report of a Case.— A 32-year-old woman and her friend, both of whom had used MDMA before,...
'Eve' and 'Ecstasy'. A report of five deaths associated with the use of MDEA and MDMA
JAMA March 27, 1987 G Dowling 301 citations
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy"), a synthetic analogue of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, has been the center of recent debate over its potential for abuse vs its use as a psychotherapeutic agent. Following its emergency classification in Schedule 1 by the Drug Enforcement Administration in 1985, 3,4-methylenedioxyethamphetamine (MDEA, "Eve") has appeared as MDMA's legal...
'Eve' and 'Ecstasy'
JAMA March 27, 1987 G Dowling 204 citations
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy"), a synthetic analogue of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, has been the center of recent debate over its potential for abuse vs its use as a psychotherapeutic agent. Following its emergency classification in Schedule 1 by the Drug Enforcement Administration in 1985, 3,4-methylenedioxyethamphetamine (MDEA,"Eve") has appeared as MDMA's legal...
LSD: My Problem Child—Reflections on Sacred Drugs, Mysticism, and Science
JAMA December 9, 1983 Donald W. Goodwin 73 citations
Along with watches and cuckoo clocks, the Swiss produce drugs. They have been doing it for a long time— since Paracelsus of Basel, a contemporary of Columbus. On April 16, 1943, another Basel chemist, Albert Hofmann, was working in his laboratory at Sandoz. His specialty was ergot, a fungus that grows on grains. Starting with lysergic acid, the ergot nucleus, Hofmann had synthesized several...