A new study found that people with bipolar disorder who consume psilocybin believe that the experience helps them, but also the drug can provide adverse effects.  The research, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, shed light on how psilocybin therapies can help - or potentially harm - patients with mental health disorders. A growing body of evidence suggests that consuming psilocybin in a controlled setting can lead to better mental health outcomes for patients with depression. The new study recruited 541 individuals to self-report their mental health and drug use history. Participants said that personal development was the top reason motivating their psilocybin use, followed by the desire to have fun. 32.2% of participants said they experienced negative or unwanted outcomes during or in the two weeks following their psychedelic trip. New or increasing manic symptoms were the most frequently reported negative side effects. When asked by researchers about their experience with psilocybin, many people "left comments describing the benefits that psilocybin had for their mental health, personal development, or spiritual growth.” The psilocybin trips discussed by participants took place outside of clinical settings.