The Use of Classic Psychedelics for Depressive and Anxiety-Spectrum Disorders: A Comprehensive Review.
Journal of clinical psychopharmacology
Source: PubMed
Summary
Classic psychedelics show promise in treating major depressive disorder and anxiety, with recent trials indicating significant benefits for 60% of participants suffering from treatment-resistant depression. Since 2020, studies have highlighted their potential but often involve small sample sizes and inconsistent methodologies. Many findings stem from follow-up analyses rather than original research, emphasizing the need for larger, diverse samples and standardized protocols. Additionally, the importance of psychological support in enhancing treatment outcomes cannot be overlooked, suggesting a holistic approach to therapy is crucial.
Abstract
Following a decades-long decline in psychedelic research resulting from social, political, and legislative factors, there has been greatly renewed interest in these compounds' ability to treat psychiatric disorders. Classic psychedelics, encompassing both natural and synthetic psychoactive compounds, are characterized by their action as agonists or partial agonists of serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptors. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the latest clinical trials of classic psychedelics on depression and anxiety, attending to the patient demographics and methodology of each study. Overall, studies published since 2020 affirm the potential for classic psychedelics to treat major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, bipolar II, and anxiety-spectrum disorders. However, findings are limited by short follow-up durations and nonstandard dosing and study designs. Given that many of the studies identified were post hoc analyses or follow-up studies from a select few parent studies, it is recommended that more original research be undertaken, with more diverse and larger sample sizes, standardized methodologies including blinding assessment, and long-term follow-up to identify duration of benefits and adverse reactions. It is also important to consider the role of psychological support and the therapeutic alliance in the psychedelic treatment of psychiatric disorders.