Psilocybin is currently being studied as a potential treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but it is not yet a proven or approved option. Early research suggests that psilocybin—the active compound in “magic mushrooms”—may temporarily reduce OCD symptoms by affecting serotonin pathways in the brain. However, the evidence to date is limited to small pilot studies, and no large-scale clinical trials have confirmed its long-term safety or effectiveness.
If you’re exploring treatment for OCD, it’s important to know that evidence-based options like exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, medication, and adjunctive therapies remain the most effective.
What is psilocybin?
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, sometimes called “magic mushrooms.” In the body, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain, altering perception, mood, and cognition.
Is psilocybin approved for OCD treatment?
No. The FDA has not approved psilocybin for OCD or any other condition. Some research is ongoing, and psilocybin has received “breakthrough therapy” designation for depression, but that does not apply to OCD yet.
What does the research say about psilocybin for OCD?
Here’s what we know so far about treating OCD with psilocybin:
- An older pilot study found that psilocybin reduced OCD symptoms for several hours in most participants.
- Newer studies are exploring whether psilocybin-assisted therapy could help OCD by disrupting rigid thought patterns.
- As of 2025, there are no large-scale randomized controlled trials proving psilocybin is safe or effective for OCD.
“We are still figuring out various mechanisms of action of psilocybin, including where in the brain it actually focuses on and targets, what it does, what the short-term effects are, and what the long-term effects are,” says Patrick McGrath, PhD, NOCD’s Chief Clinical Officer.
Risks and considerations
Psilocybin can cause intense psychological effects, including anxiety, panic, and perceptual disturbances. People with OCD or other mental health conditions may be especially vulnerable. Using psilocybin outside of clinical supervision also carries legal and safety risks.
How does psilocybin compare to proven treatments?
While psilocybin is still in early stages, many effective, evidence-based treatments for managing OCD symptoms exist today.
The first-line treatment for OCD is exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy. ERP is a specialized form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) proven to be effective for OCD. General CBT, if not tailored for OCD, can sometimes be unhelpful or even worsen symptoms.
Studies show that ERP therapy is highly effective, with 80% of people with OCD experiencing a significant reduction in their symptoms.
“You always want to start with ERP,” says Dr. McGrath. “Some people hear about certain treatments online and think that must mean that’s the best, new option, but just because something is new doesn’t mean it’s better. We know that ERP works and that it’s good.”
Other approaches that may help include:
- Medication (typically SSRIs)
- Mindfulness-based strategies
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
These are typically done in combination with ERP therapy, depending on the individual’s needs.
Severe or treatment-resistant OCD may benefit from the following therapies:
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs)
- Partial hospital programs (PHPs)
- Residential treatment centers (RTCs)
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
- Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS)
Find the right OCD therapist for you
All our therapists are licensed and trained in exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), the gold standard treatment for OCD.
Bottom line
Psilocybin shows promise in the early stages, but is not yet a safe, proven, or available treatment for OCD. If you’re ready to break free from the OCD cycle, the next step is to explore evidence-based care that has decades of strong research behind it.
Key takeaways
- Psilocybin is being studied but is not approved for OCD treatment.
- Small studies have shown short-term symptom relief, but the results are preliminary.
- More research is needed before psilocybin can be considered safe or effective for OCD.
- Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy and medication remain the most effective, evidence-based treatments for OCD.
