Magic mushroom compound targets Depression's Joy-Sapping symptom

NCT ID NCT07490353

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study explores whether psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, can help people with depression who have lost the ability to feel pleasure (anhedonia). Researchers will give 85 participants two doses of psilocybin, sometimes blocking its psychedelic effects with another drug, and use brain scans to see how it affects reward and pleasure pathways. The goal is to understand if the psychedelic experience itself is key to any mood benefits.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Psilocybin

What this could lead to

If successful, this could point toward a new way to treat anhedonia (loss of pleasure) in depression, potentially improving mood and well-being.

What could go wrong

This is a very early Phase 1 trial with only 85 people, so results may not apply broadly. The open-label design means both participants and researchers know who gets what, which can bias results. Psilocybin can cause intense, challenging experiences.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Anhedonia Depression major depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Medical University of Vienna, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of General Psychiatry

    RECRUITING

    Vienna, State of Vienna, 1160, Austria

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact