You might have noticed how conversations around mental health have shifted in Toronto, especially around options that go beyond standard prescriptions. That transition is part of why magic mushrooms Toronto became part of serious research discussions at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). A few years back, CAMH stepped into history, setting the stage for research that still matters now, especially for people living with long-term depression.
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The Main Goal of the Study
CAMH didn’t approach psilocybin with hype or shortcuts. The focus stayed practical. Could the compound found in magic mushrooms help ease treatment-resistant depression without bringing along the full psychedelic experience?
Traditional psychedelic-assisted therapy demands long sessions, close supervision, and intensive psychotherapy. Many people simply cannot access that level of care.
In a press release back in 2022, “There has been a growing interest and body of knowledge regarding the use of psychedelic drugs for the treatment of mental illness and addictions,” said Dr. Ishrat Husain, lead investigator of the study and CAHM’s head of the Clinical Trials Unit.
Clinical trials before this one already pointed to strong antidepressant effects linked to psilocybin paired with therapy. CAMH wanted to know if the same relief could happen without the “trip.”
Does Removing the Psychedelic Effect Change Everything?
Psilocybin is known for altering perception, mood, and thought patterns. Those effects require time, preparation, and professional support. That raises costs and limits access.
Dr. Husain explained the challenge clearly. If the psychedelic effects could be blocked while keeping the antidepressant benefits, treatment could become far more realistic for everyday healthcare settings.
This approach opened doors that earlier studies could not.
- Less time required in clinical settings
- Reduced need for intensive psychological support
- Greater accessibility for people stuck with few options
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How the CAMH Trial Works
This was not a surface-level experiment. CAMH designed a controlled clinical trial involving 60 adults who had lived with depression for at least three years and had not responded to standard treatments.
Participants were divided into three groups:
- One group received a full dose of psilocybin plus a blocker that stopped psychedelic effects
- Another group received psilocybin with a placebo
- The final group received a placebo plus the blocker
Every participant completed 12 hours of psychotherapy, following current psychedelic research practices.
The structure allowed researchers to isolate one core question. Are the antidepressant effects tied to the psychedelic experience, or can they stand on their own?
Why this Grant Mattered Then and Still Matters Now
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research funded the study, which marked the first time the federal government supported research of this kind. That decision signalled a shift in how seriously this area of mental health research was being taken.
CAMH was already deeply involved in this space. The hospital had led earlier studies on psilocybin and ketamine. It even served as the only Canadian site in the largest global psilocybin trial at the time.
“As Canada’s largest mental health research hospital, CAMH is ideally positioned to be at the forefront of psychedelic science research that focuses on safety, efficacy, and accessibility,” said Dr. Aristotle Voineskos, CAMH’s Director of the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute and Vice President of Research.
That positioning still holds weight today. The study helped normalize careful, science-led exploration instead of pushing psilocybin to the margins. Like, for example, clinical trials in Ontario are ongoing:
| Study | Led By | Funded By |
| Microdosing psilocybin to treat anxiety | Kingston Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (KHSC-RI) | Canadian Institute for Health Research |
| Potential of psychedelics as medicine | St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton | Federal Grant |
“It is crucial that moving forward we bring to bear state-of-the-art research technologies, like neuroimaging and molecular assessments, to get a better understanding of how compounds like psilocybin induce their antidepressant effect or psychedelic effect, and overall safety (or benefit) considerations related to brain health,” Dr. Voineskos added.
What Does This Mean for Psychonauts Today
CAMH’s study isn’t just a milestone for researchers, but a signal for anyone curious about magic mushrooms. With the rise of carefully designed clinical trials in Canada, more people are starting to see psilocybin not as a novelty but as a substance with real potential for mental wellness. This encourages exploration while highlighting the importance of safety and knowledge.
If you’re considering trying magic mushrooms, it’s important to focus on quality. Whether you’re interested in edibles, drinks, or microdose capsules, selecting reliable strains and products guarantees a consistent experience and helps you stay informed about dosage and effects.
To make sure you’re getting the full potential of magic mushrooms, you can try dried shroom strains like Treasure Coast, Hillbilly Pumpkin, and White Burtha. But if you’re not yet ready for the potency of dried mushrooms, you can start with edibles, like:
| Gummies | Chocolates |
| Bright Future – Nootropic Gummies – Strawberry Lemonade Margarita – 3000mg | Psilosomatic Functional Chocolate – Milk Chocolate – 3000mg |
| Wonder – Psilocybin Gummies – Cranberry – 3000mg | Wonder – Psilocybin Chocolate Bar – Hazelnut – 1G |
| Ground Sounds – Penis Envy Gummy (2x1g) | Mastermind – Dark Chocolate Bars – 3000mg |
Don’t Hesitate to Explore – Start With the Right Shrooms Online
CAMH’s research shows that magic mushrooms Canada are more than curiosity. They’re part of a growing scientific conversation about mental health. If you’re ready to explore responsibly, start with high-quality mushroom products that suit your needs, from microdose capsules to edibles and drinks. Check out Zoomies Canada for reliable options and clear guidance to make your first steps safe and informed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can psilocybin treat depression without causing psychedelic effects?
CAMH’s clinical trial is testing whether psilocybin’s antidepressant benefits can work without the psychedelic experience. Sixty adults with treatment-resistant depression will receive different combinations of psilocybin, a serotonin receptor blocker, or placebos, alongside psychotherapy. The goal is to see if mood improvements happen even when psychedelic effects are blocked.
How do medical students’ views on psilocybin affect attitudes toward its medical use?
Studies, including the 2023 “Predictors of Medical Students’ Perceptions of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Use in Medical Practice,” suggest that medical students who feel confident in their knowledge of medical psilocybin, worry less about side effects, and support recreational legalization tend to view medical use more positively. This unexpected link highlights the need for further research, education, and training on psilocybin’s efficacy, dosing, and risks as it gains therapeutic attention.
Is studying synthetic psilocybin the same as magic mushrooms?
Not exactly. Most research uses synthetic psilocybin because it’s consistent, affordable, and easy to dose. Magic mushrooms, however, contain many other compounds. Some scientists believe these extras may influence how long or intense a trip feels—an idea known as the “entourage effect.” More research is needed to confirm this, as there could be more to magic mushrooms than psilocybin.
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