Psilocybin and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – October 20, 2014
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Remarkably, one individual with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, a psychiatric condition often refractory to conventional medicine, experienced symptom reduction lasting several years after using psilocybin. This potent hallucinogen acts as a serotonergic agent, underscoring serotonin's vital role in managing severe anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders. Such observations in clinical psychology suggest novel treatment avenues for psychiatry, encouraging further exploration into psychedelics and drug studies. This could inform future approaches for psychotherapists.
Abstract
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder with considerable morbidity and mortality. This condition disables many individuals and is often refractory to treatment. Research suggests that serotonin plays a role in OCD symptom reduction. We present a case of an individual who successfully used psilocybin, a serotonergic agent, to reduce the core symptoms of OCD for several years. Although not endorsing this form of treatment, we feel that the successful use of this agent highlights the role of serotonergic factors in OCD and the need for further, legitimate research into the value of psilocybin in the treatment of anxiety disorders.