The best treatments see people as more than just brain chemistry.

For the Colson Center, I'm John Stone Street with the Point.

A new treatment for depressions undergoing clinical trials at John Hopkins.

Early results suggest that two doses of the active ingredient, psilocybin,

a main ingredient in what are known as magic mushrooms,

significantly reduces symptoms of major depression in adults.

Some of our most effective treatments come from strange places. For example, the heart drug wayfarine was originally derived from rat poison.

Aspirants taken from willow trees. So we shouldn't rule out psilocybin's valid medical uses too

quickly. On the other hand, covering up symptoms of depression isn't really treating it, certainly not curing it.

Mental illnesses can have chemical, psychological, physiological, relational, and spiritual causes, or all of the above.

Manipulating brain chemistry is a shortcut, and it can miss the bigger picture of who we are and real healing.

We can't medicate away our need for purpose, belonging, love, and forgiveness.

The best treatments will always see people as who they really are made in the image and likeness of God.

For the Colson Center, I'm John Stone Street.