University of California - San Diego Apr 23 2026 The use of psilocybin, the hallucinogenic compound found in "magic mushrooms," is rising in the United States alongside de‑criminalization efforts in several states and local jurisdictions, as well as heightened interest by the general public. Researchers have also taken an interest in the drug for its potential to treat depression. Now, a study by researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and New York University