- Psychedelic compound increases the number of neural connections in the brain by 10%, study finds

• Psilocybin, a drug found in 'magic mushrooms' may be able to reduce the effects of depression
• Drug strengthened and increased the number of neural connections in mice during study
• The drug could be effective for over a month, as brain connections in mice remained strong long term
• Drug was previously used in some spiritual ceremonies in indigenous American cultures 

A psychedelic drug found in mushrooms could work as an antidepressant, new research shows.

Psilocybin, a compound that naturally occurs in some mushrooms, may be able to increase the long-lasting connections between neurons in the brain by 10 percent.

A research team from Yale University believes these connections can reduce the effects of depression on a person.

The study, which will be published in the journal Neuron on Monday, also found that the strength of neuron connections increases as well.

 

Psilocybin is a drug often found in certain mushrooms. It has hallucinogenic properties and a study by Yale researchers finds that it could reduce the effects of depression