Forget medical marijuana—are you ready for medical mushrooms? The popular psychedelic is believed to be a useful tool for treating anxiety, depression, PTSD, and more, and now a group of researchers at John Hopkins University School of Medicine say they’ve found the perfect dose to produce long-lasting effects with a minimal risk of a “bad trip.” They’ll reveal the exact dosage when the study is published later this week.
Volunteers were given various doses of the drug in a controlled, supportive setting over four sessions. The results were overwhelmingly positive—a year later, 94% ranked it as one of the five most spiritual experiences of their lives, and 89% reported long-term positive changes in their behavior and mental well-being. “I’m not afraid to die anymore,” one participant tells Yahoo’s Lookout blog. “I think my heart is more open to all interactions with other people,” another said. (More psychedelic stories.)