Compositions and methods for treating depression

Abstract

Methods and compositions are disclosed for enhancing neurogenesis, resolving neuropathy and improving neurological health and functioning using fungal extracts and their active ingredients, including species of mushrooms and mycelia containing psilocybin and psilocin, combined with erinacines and hericenones or fungal extracts containing those active ingredients, with the addition of nicotinic acid. The compositions may optionally be combined with nervine plants.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for reducing symptoms of depression or anxiety in a subject in need thereof comprising: administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising psilocybin or psilocin sufficient to reduce the symptoms of depression or anxiety in the subject. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , where the composition further comprises an extract of  Hericium erinaceus.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , where the composition further comprises niacin. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises 0.1 mg to 10 mg; 0.1 mg to 0.6 mg; 0.6 mg to 0.9 mg; 0.9 mg to 10 mg; or 1 mg to 10 mg of psilocybin or psilocin per 70 kg of the subject's body mass. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises 1 mg to 200 mg of niacin per 70 kg of the subject's body mass. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered in a capsule. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein 500 mg to 1000 mg of the composition is administered once to three times per day. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises:  Bacopa  species ( Bacopa monnieri ), Gotu kola ( Centella asiatica ), Gingko ( Gingko biloba ), Ginger ( Zingiber officinale ), Holy Basil ( Ocimum sanctum ), Hu Zhang ( Polygonum cuspid atum ), Oregano ( Origanum vulgare, Origanum onites ), Rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis, Rosmarinus eriocalyx, Rosmarinus  species), Turmeric ( Curcuma longa ), Green Tea ( Camellia sinensis ), lavender ( Lavandula spica  and  Lavandula  species), skullcap ( Scutellaria lateriflora ), oat straw ( Avena sativa  and  Avena byzantine ), Diviner's Sage ( Salvia divinorum ), ayahuasca ( Banisteriopsis caapi  and  Psychotria  species),  Tabemanthe iboga, Voacanga africana, Tabemaemontana undulate , peyote ( Lophophora williamsii ), morning glory ( Ipomoea tricolor, Argyreia nervosa ),  Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica  or  Cannabis ruderalis , extracts thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises: mycelia, fruitbodies, or extracts thereof of  Antrodia, Beauveria, Copelandia, Cordyceps, Ganoderma, Grifola, Hericium, Inonotus, Isaria, Panaeolus, Phellinus  or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A method for reducing symptoms of depression or anxiety in a subject in need thereof comprising: administering a composition comprising 0.1 mg to 10 mg of psilocybin or psilocin per 70 kg of the subject's body mass sufficient to reduce the symptoms of depression or anxiety in the subject. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , where the composition further comprises an extract of  Hericium erinaceus.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , where the composition further comprises niacin. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the composition comprises 0.1 mg to 10 mg; 0.1 mg to 0.6 mg; 0.6 mg to 0.9 mg; 0.9 mg to 10 mg; or 1 mg to 10 mg of psilocybin or psilocin per 70 kg of the subject's body mass. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the composition comprises 1 mg to 200 mg of niacin per 70 kg of the subject's body mass. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the composition further comprises one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the composition is administered in a capsule. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein 500 mg to 1000 mg of the composition is administered once to three times per day. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the composition further comprises:  Bacopa  species ( Bacopa monnieri ), Gotu kola ( Centella asiatica ), Gingko ( Gingko biloba ), Ginger ( Zingiber officinale ), Holy Basil ( Ocimum sanctum ), Hu Zhang ( Polygonum cuspid atum ), Oregano ( Origanum vulgare, Origanum onites ), Rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis, Rosmarinus eriocalyx, Rosmarinus  species), Turmeric ( Curcuma longa ), Green Tea ( Camellia sinensis ), lavender ( Lavandula spica  and  Lavandula  species), skullcap ( Scutellaria lateriflora ), oat straw ( Avena sativa  and  Avena byzantine ), Diviner's Sage ( Salvia divinorum ), ayahuasca ( Banisteriopsis caapi  and  Psychotria  species),  Tabemanthe iboga, Voacanga africana, Tabemaemontana undulate , peyote ( Lophophora williamsii ), morning glory ( Ipomoea tricolor, Argyreia nervosa ),  Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica  or  Cannabis ruderalis , extracts thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the composition further comprises: mycelia, fruitbodies, or extracts thereof of  Antrodia, Beauveria, Copelandia, Cordyceps, Ganoderma, Grifola, Hericium, Inonotus, Isaria, Panaeolus, Phellinus  or combinations thereof.