Unmet need in depression: Psilocybin, a breakthrough treatment option
International Journal of Advanced Research in Medicine – January 01, 2021
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
The FDA has recognized psilocybin as a "breakthrough treatment" for Major depressive disorder (MDD). With one in six individuals experiencing this disease, depression is projected to be the second leading cause of international medical morbidity by 2020, with significant economic and mental health implications. Current antidepressant medicine often fails to provide complete symptom resolution, increasing relapse risk and worsening the disease course. Novel psychiatry approaches are urgently needed. Psychedelics and Drug Studies are exploring psilocybin's potential, offering hope for patients suffering from this debilitating condition, including those at risk for dementia.
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) has become a health crisis of epidemic proportions in the modern world. One in six individuals in the world is experiencing an episode of major depression in his or her lifetime, and it is estimated that major depression will rank second after cardiac disease as a cause of international medical morbidity by the year 2020. Depression is associated with greater disability than are most other chronic illnesses and is a risk factor for mortality. Additionally, depression predicts the later development of a number of medical conditions, including cardiac and cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, dementia, and cancer. Unfortunately, most patients with depression do not experience a complete resolution of symptoms with antidepressant treatment. Partial-but incomplete-response to antidepressants is associated with an increased risk of full symptomatic relapse (even when on therapy) and a worse long-term disease course. Combined with the high prevalence and significant disability associated with MDD, the fact that currently available treatments are not fully adequate highlights the tremendous need to identify novel treatment strategies. In this review, we have compiled the information available about the potential of psilocybin in the treatment of MDD. This is recently called as breakthrough treatment by FDA. We have presented recent clinical study data to support the notion. This will surely help all health care practitioners to consider this drug in future for the treatment of their patients suffering with MDD.