B - 61 Psilocybin as a First-Line Treatment of ADHD in Adult Populations
Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology – September 12, 2024
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Microdosing Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, shows compelling promise for adult ADHD symptom management. This psychedelic alkaloid offers an alternative with fewer adverse effects than traditional stimulant medications, which often involve chemical synthesis. Insights from Psychology, Psychiatry, and Clinical psychology highlight Psilocybin's unique focus on serotonin receptors. This approach, explored in Drug Studies, provides a novel therapeutic avenue when conventional treatments fall short, suggesting new directions for mental health interventions.
Abstract
Abstract Objectives The first line for symptom management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a class of medications that act on dopamine and noradrenaline receptors, which leads to symptom reduction at the cost of significant side effects. These side effects have led to community searching for alternative methods that manage ADHD symptoms in adults that lead to less side effects. Microdosing Psilocybin has emerged as a course of treatment that could provide benefits for those who may experience serious side effects to stimulant medication. Method This literature review was conducted using search terms such as, ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, psychedelic treatment, stimulant treatment of ADHD, naturalistic treatment of ADHD, 5-HT, neural plasticity. Journals that reported about the benefits and concerns of Psilocybin use for ADHD are Neurochemistry International, American College of Neuropharmacology, European Psychology, Movement and Nutrition in Health and Disease, Journal of Psychopharmacology, and Psychiatry Research. Results Research shows that not only does microdosing Psilocybin have less adverse effects than stimulant medications when being used to treat ADHD, but it also leads to an alternative method that focuses on serotonin receptors when other avenues are unsuccessful. Conclusions This poster illustrates the alternative use of Psilocybin for treatment in ADHD and highlights neurological underpinnings that may lead to explaining success. Limitations of stimulant medications are also reviewed.