Both share similarities. All volunteers had diagnoses of cancer-related anxiety or depression. Patients were randomly given a placebo or synthetic psilocybin, and not told which. Within seven weeks, they were given the other sample. Investigators: Roland Griffiths PhD, William Richards PhD, Matthew Johnson, Ph.D., Una McCann, M.D. Sponsor: Heffter Research Institute, Riverstyx Foundation Contact: Roland Griffiths, PhD Status: psilocybin and serotonin Completed and Published Psilocybin is one of two classic hallucinogens, the other being LSD. Both drugs, when ingested, act on tiny receptors found throughout the brain called 5-HT2A receptors, igniting a flood of changes leading to symptoms like euphoria, hallucinations, and extreme emotions. Using psilocybin as a medical treatment isn’t a new idea. Back in the 1940s through 60s, psychedelics were a big part of psychiatry. A handful of studies were published at the time hinting at the possible benefits of this drug on anxiety and depression, as well as other conditions like alcoholism. But the controlled substance act of 1970 put a halt to this line if inquiry, and it wasn’t until recently that scientists started to study the drugs again.