"The move follows an unusual study which showed that the compound, psilocybin, can prompt long lasting positive changes in mood and behaviour."

"Researchers also found that people who took the chemical experienced genuine mystical experiences, as defined by psychologists."

"A third of the 36 study participants described their psilocybin experience as the "most spiritually significant" of their lives."

"Some likened it to the importance of the birth of their first child or the death of a parent."

"Until last year a loophole in the law meant they were not illegal in their natural state in the UK."

"Under the Drugs Act 2005 they are now classified as a Class A drug, like heroin or cocaine. Possession may be punishable by several years in jail, while supplying the mushrooms could result in a life sentence."

"Professor Roland Griffiths, from Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, led the study, the first rigorous investigation of the effects of "tripping" on a drug for decades."

"The volunteers were all healthy, well-educated, mostly middle-aged and with no family history of psychotic illness."

"Each attended two separate eight hour drug sessions at two month intervals. On one occasion they received psilocybin, on the other the drug Ritalin which was used as a placebo."

"Medical professionals were on hand to act as "monitors" and observe what happened. Neither the participants nor the monitors knew when the test drug was being taken."

"The trials took place in a room fitted out as a comfortable lounge, with soft music and indirect lighting."

"During the study, more than 60% of those taking part described the effects of psilocybin in ways that met the recognised criteria of a "full mystical experience"."

"Two months later, 79% reported moderately or greatly increased well being or levels of life-satisfaction."

"Most said their mood, attitudes and behaviour had changed for the better. This was confirmed by interviews with family members, friends and work colleagues."

"Prof Griffiths said: "Under very defined conditions, with careful preparation, you can safely and fairly reliably occasion what's called a primary mystical experience that may lead to positive changes in a person. It's an early step in what we hope will be a large body of scientific work that will ultimately help people.""

"The scientists said scrupulous care was taken to minimise adverse side effects and warned of the dangers of taking psilocybin unsupervised."

"Even under the controlled conditions of the study, a third of participants reported significant fear, and some experienced temporary feelings of paranoia."

""Under unmonitored conditions, it's not hard to imagine those emotions escalating to panic and dangerous behaviour," said Prof Griffiths."

"Trials are planned involving patients suffering from cancer-related depression or anxiety. Other studies will test a role for psilocybin in the treatment of drug dependence."

"Prof Griffiths said human research into the potential positive effects
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