British researchers tested the chemical in magic mushrooms on 19 severely depressed patients. All reported immediate improvement in their depression and almost half said they still felt benefits more than a month later. Researchers believe the main chemical in the fungi, Psilocybin, helps change the way networks of nerves communicate in the brain. That might disrupt negative thought patterns, in effect resetting or rebooting the brain.
The study is reported in the online British medical journal "NHS Choices." In it, the researchers note that larger studies are needed to verify their findings.
Source: Live Science