Woman with advanced Alzheimer’s regained speech and memories after taking magic mushrooms
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, said he is “dubious” of the significance of the study because the effect was described as temporary and was limited to one case.
“Also, there is a built-in danger of giving a hallucinogen to someone with this degree of mental impairment, because the behavioral effects are largely unpredictable and can be harmful,” Siegel, who also was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.
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“Having said that, I am not surprised to see that psilocybin could temporarily overcome or alter the gummed-up [brain] circuitry (with plaques) of advanced Alzheimer’s disease – so it might have some value in a carefully controlled setting.”
A medical expert said he is “dubious” of the significance of the study because the effect was described as temporary and was limited to one case. (Ethan Barton/Fox News Digital)
The findings come as several states have expanded legal access to psilocybin. (The substance remains federally illegal in the U.S. as a Schedule I substance.)
Oregon began licensing psilocybin service centers in 2023, Colorado’s regulated natural medicine program became operational in 2025, and New Mexico enacted a Medical Psilocybin Act in 2025, according to state officials.
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Still, there are currently no FDA-approved psilocybin treatments for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, and legal access remains limited to certain state-regulated programs or approved research settings.
Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.rudy@fox.com.
Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/woman-advanced-alzheimers-regained-speech-memories-taking-magic-mushrooms