Magic mushrooms can treat depression

Two small studies released in Jan. 2012 found taking psilocybin, the active ingredient in psychadelic mushrooms, may result in brain changes that could mimic effects caused by antidepressants.

"We're not saying go out there and eat magic mushrooms," Professor David Nutt, a neuropsychopharmacology researcher at Imperial College London and senior author of both studies, told Reuters. "But...this drug has such a fundamental impact on the brain that it's got to be meaningful - it's got to be telling us something about how the brain works."

Studies this year also reported depression-fighting abilities from the illicit drug ketamine, or "special K."

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