Psychedelic Medicines in Major Depression: Progress and Future Challenges.
Jose Carlos Bouso, Genís Ona, Rafael G Dos Santos, Jaime E C Hallak
Advances in experimental medicine and biology January 1, 2021 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1007/978-981-33-6044-0_26 via PubMed
Summary
The therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs like psilocybin and ayahuasca is gaining attention as a potential treatment for mental disorders, particularly major depression. The chapter discusses the history of psychedelic research, recent clinical trials involving these substances, and their neurobiological mechanisms, which may contribute to their therapeutic effects when used alongside psychotherapy. It also highlights future challenges in this innovative area of study.
Study at a glance
| Key finding | Psychedelic drugs have been assessed for safety and efficacy in treating major depression and other mental disorders. |
|---|
Abstract
The volume of research on the therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs has been increasing during the last decades. Partly because of the need of innovative treatments in psychiatry, several studies have assessed the safety and efficacy of drugs like psilocybin or ayahuasca for a wide range of mental disorders, including major depression. The first section of this chapter will offer an introduction to psychedelic research, including a brief historical overview and discussions about appropriate terminology. In the second section, the recently published clinical trials in which psychedelic drugs were administered to patients will be analysed in detail. Then, in the third section, the main neurobiological mechanisms of these drugs will be described, noting that while some of these mechanisms could be potentially associated with their therapeutic properties, they are commonly used as adjuvants in psychotherapeutic processes. The last section suggests future challenges for this groundbreaking field of research and therapy.