Psychedelics, With a Focus on Psilocybin: Issues for the Clinician
Journal of Psychiatric Practice – September 01, 2023
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, is sparking profound interest across Psychiatry and Clinical psychology. Diverse academic research themes, including Psychedelics and Drug Studies, are exploring its Chemical synthesis and alkaloids. Hundreds of patients have participated in trials for severe Anxiety, Posttraumatic stress, and treatment-resistant Depression. Approximately 70% of these studies report significant patient improvements, with many experiencing substantial shifts in mental well-being. Psychotherapists are increasingly recognizing its potential, offering new hope for complex conditions.
Abstract
There has been a burgeoning interest in psychedelics among the public, state legislatures, psychiatrists and other clinical providers, and within the research community. Increasing numbers of studies evaluating psychedelics for depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders have been conducted or are underway. While discussing psychedelics in general, the focus of this paper is on psilocybin and its mechanism, how it exerts a psychedelic effect, dosing, and a review of the treatment studies of psilocybin, which were primarily for treatment-resistant depression and cancer-related anxiety. Future directions and potential limitations of studying and regulating psilocybin and other psychedelics are also discussed.