A 41-year-old woman who has been grappling with the ongoing symptoms of long COVID reports a significant reduction in her condition after undergoing therapy that included the use of hallucinogens like MDMA (3.4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) and psilocybin, the active component in hallucinogenic mushrooms.
The therapeutic sessions with these psychedelic substances led to a notable alleviation of her long COVID-related health issues such as pronounced fatigue, depression, anxiety, joint pain, and constant headaches.
Details about the patient’s origins were not disclosed in the case study, though the research authors are based in the United States.
Current federal law in the U.S., overseen by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), does not officially recognize the medical use of MDMA or psilocybin. Yet, states like Oregon and Colorado have moved forward to decriminalize the therapeutic use of psychedelics. Similarly, countries such as Australia are conducting experiments with psilocybin- and MDMA-enhanced therapy to address various psychological disorders.
Prior to this report, literature documenting the effects of MDMA or psilocybin on long COVID was nonexistent. The study brings to light the potential for hallucinogens to counteract a relentlessly untreatable condition that now impacts countless individuals globally.
Before contracting COVID-19 in February 2022 and developing long COVID, the woman in focus had been in good health and fully vaccinated. Her long COVID presented severe psycho-emotional disturbances, including acute depression and anxiety, along with intense headaches and cognitive impairments.
She sought relief through numerous avenues, such as fasting, massage, acupuncture, and meditation, but these strategies either failed completely or provided only ephemeral reprieve.
The patient then turned to a therapist who specialized in psychedelic therapy after she was placed on a waitlist for a long COVID clinic. Starting with a dose of one gram of dried ‘golden teacher’ Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms in May 2022, she experienced a brief decrease in symptoms severity, coupled with chills and shivering as the effects subsided.
A subsequent dose of MDMA, followed by two separate doses of psilocybin nearly a month later, yielded in an 80 percent overall symptom improvement for the patient, which allowed her to return to her PhD studies.
The study authors reveal that “The patient described a gradual onset without shivering and felt a strong disconnection from the long COVID symptoms,” citing a sensation of youthful innocence, a profound bond with the natural environment, and being in an alternate reality while under the influence of MDMA and psilocybin.
Though she faced minor relapses and took additional psilocybin doses, by the year’s end, she reported “full resolution of her symptoms” and resumed her work full time.
There’s a rationale for the effective link between long COVID and hallucinogens: research has associated long COVID with brain damage, with many sufferers reporting ‘brain fog’ as a symptom. Psychedelics impacting brain function could feasibly offer benefits.
Still, given that this report chronicles just one individual’s experience without the rigors of a controlled trial, further scientific investigation is crucial before any formal endorsement of hallucinogens as a standard treatment for long COVID, despite their promise in other health-related spheres.
Columbia University researchers have initiated a pilot trial to assess whether single hallucinogenic doses might truly ease long COVID symptoms.
“Extensive research is essential to establish if psychedelics can be considered safe and effective for long COVID and to delve into the mechanisms behind their potential impact,” the clinical report’s authors surmise.
This study can be found in the journal Clinical Case Reports.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What psychedelics were used in the therapy?
MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, and psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in certain hallucinogenic mushrooms, were used in this therapy.
Is this form of therapy legal?
In the United States, the federal government does not sanction the medical use of MDMA or psilocybin. However, some states like Oregon and Colorado have legalized the use of psychedelics in assisted therapies. Local policies can differ significantly.
Has the FDA approved MDMA or psilocybin for the treatment of long COVID?
No, as of the knowledge cutoff date, MDMA and psilocybin have not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of long COVID.
Is this case study evidence that psychedelics are effective treatments for long COVID?
This case study offers an intriguing insight, but it cannot be considered conclusive evidence given that it is a single-patient report without a control group, randomization, or standardized dosing. Larger, controlled studies are necessary to determine effectiveness.
Where can I read the full research?
The full research has been published in the peer-reviewed journal, Clinical Case Reports. It’s available online for those interested in reading the details of the study.