People who take so-called magic mushrooms -- technically known as psilocybin -- feel a sense of well-being as long as 14 months later, according to new research.

Researchers from Johns Hopkins gave 36 volunteers the drug. Fourteen months later, they still reported an increase in satisfaction with life.

"Most of the volunteers ... rated it as the most, or one of the five most, personally meaningful and spiritually significant of their lives," said lead investigator Roland Griffiths.

Griffiths said that great care needs to be taken not to give hallucinogens to people at risk for psychosis or certain other serious mental disorders. Detailed guidance was provided for participants, including support during and after the experience. The research team warned that if hallucinogens are used outside the lab, the possible fear or anxiety responses could lead to harmful behaviors.

"This is a truly remarkable finding," Griffiths said. "Rarely in psychological research do we see such persistently positive reports from a single event in the laboratory. This gives credence to the claims that the mystical-type experiences some people have during hallucinogen sessions may help patients suffering from cancer-related anxiety or depression and may serve as a potential treatment for drug dependence. We're eager to move ahead with that research."

Mushrooms containing psilocybin have been used in some cultures for hundreds of years or more for religious and healing purposes.

The research appeared in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.