The Real Benefits of "Magic" Mushrooms?

Think the fight over medical marijuana was tough? Just wait to see what happens if someone tries to push for the medical legalization of "magic mushrooms." That's not as odd as it sounds given the attention one study is getting today that suggested some patients with advanced-stage cancer got relief from anxiety by using the active ingredient found in the mushrooms, the hallucinogenic psilocybin.

Researchers at UCLA discovered that the patients who used the psilocybin in a controlled environment experienced a better mood for up to six months after their drug trip. The study was relatively small as it involved only a dozen patients, but researchers still found encouraging results.

"We are working with a patient population that often does not respond well to conventional treatments," Dr. Charles S. Grob said in a written statement. "Following their treatments with psilocybin, the patients and their families reported benefit from the use of this hallucinogen in reducing their anxiety. This study shows psilocybin can be administered safely, and that further investigation of hallucinogens should be pursued to determine their potential benefits."

Unlike the potential financial benefits for medical marijuana growers (some say marijuana is now the largest cash crop in the United States), it's doubtful a major market would be created should psilocybin use be accepted. It's currently a prohibited substance in the United States, but is legally sold in some foreign areas (Amsterdam, for instance) and tips for growing psilocybin mushrooms can be found online.

This wouldn't be the first reported health benefit from psilocybin. Some have found it to be a method to treat vascular headaches.