Psilocybin & Bipolar Disorder: Weighing the Evidence on Risks and Reported Benefits
A thorough examination of what the largest available dataset — an international survey of 541 people with bipolar disorder who have used psilocybin — reveals about the balance of benefits and risks, including the documented incidence of manic episodes and what clinical researchers now recommend for this population.
Source Research Papers
Citations in APA 7 format. All studies were sourced from peer-reviewed journals via Google Scholar. Unfamiliar terms? See the plain-language glossary →
Morton, E., Sakai, K., Ashtari, A., Pleet, M., Michalak, E. E., & Woolley, J. (2022). Risks and benefits of psilocybin use in people with bipolar disorder: An international web-based survey on experiences of 'magic mushroom' consumption. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 37(1), 49–60. https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811221131997
In a survey of 541 people with bipolar disorder who'd used psilocybin, most reported benefits — but a meaningful minority had manic episodes, so bipolar disorder calls for real caution.
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