![Magic-mushroom compound boosts cancer patients' mindset](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2016/12/_2/740x404/pic_1480662368_3.jpg)
Magic-mushroom Compound Boosts Cancer Patients' Mindset
Fakhir Rizvi Published December 02, 2016 | 09:40 AM
![Magic-mushroom compound boosts cancer patients' mindset](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2016/12/_2/740x404/pic_1480662368_3.jpg)
MIAMI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 02nd Dec, 2016 ) - Cancer patients often experience mental anguish and stress, but a single dose of a hallucinogen found in psychedelic mushrooms, along with psychological counseling, improved their mindset, two studies said Thursday.
The approach "significantly lessens mental anguish in distressed cancer patients for months at a time," said the findings in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. The first study, led by researchers at New York University's Langone Medical Center, involved 29 people who were given psilocybin, a naturally occurring component of so-called "magic mushrooms" that is an illegal drug in the United States.
All the people in the study had advanced cancers, whether involving the breasts, gastrointestinal tract or blood.
They had also been diagnosed as suffering from serious psychological distress related to their disease.
After their treatment, 80 percent experienced lasting relief from their distress for more than six months. A similar study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University involving 51 patients also showed big improvements in anxiety and depression.
Most patients said their quality of life improved, and they had more energy, better relationships with family members and were doing well at work. "Several also reported variations of spirituality, unusual peacefulness, and increased feelings of altruism," said NYU Langone in a statement.
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