Study finds 'magic mushroom' hallucinogen as good as antidepressants By (0) The magic ingredient in "magic mushrooms" may be at least as effective as standard medication for depression, an early clinical trial suggests. The study of 59 patients with major depression tested the antidepressant escitalopram (Lexapro) against psilocybin, which is the psychedelic substance in hallucinogenic mushrooms. Advertisement Over six weeks, it appeared that just two doses of psilocybin were at least as effective as daily escitalopram pills, both of which were given along with psychological counseling. Patients on either treatment improved to a similar degree in their scores on a depression rating scale.