Classical psychedelics for the treatment of depression and anxiety: A systematic review.
Silvia Muttoni, Maddalena Ardissino, Christopher John
Journal of affective disorders November 1, 2019 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.07.076 via PubMed
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted therapy using ayahuasca, psilocybin, or LSD shows promise for treating resistant depression and anxiety. In a review of seven studies involving 130 patients, these psychedelics produced immediate and significant reductions in symptoms that lasted several months and were well-tolerated. Common adverse effects included transient anxiety, headaches, nausea, and mild increases in heart rate and blood pressure. Despite the encouraging findings, more research is needed due to the limited number of studies and participants.
Study at a glance
| Design | systematic review |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 130 |
| Population | patients with depression and/or anxiety |
| Key finding | Psychedelics consistently produced immediate and significant anti-depressant and anxiolytic effects that were sustained for several months. |
Abstract
Depression and anxiety are prevalent psychiatric disorders that carry significant morbidity. Pharmacological and psychosocial interventions are used to manage these conditions, but their efficacy is limited. Recent interest into the use of psychedelic-assisted therapy using ayahuasca, psilocybin or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may be a promising alternative for patients unresponsive to traditional treatments. This review aims to determine the efficacy and tolerability of psychedelics in the management of resistant depression. Clinical trials investigating psychedelics in patients with depression and/or anxiety were searched via MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsychINFO. Efficacy was assessed by measuring symptom improvement from baseline, and tolerability was evaluated by noting the incidence and type of adverse effects reported. Risk of bias was assessed. Seven studies, with 130 patients, were analysed in this review. Three were conducted in patients with depression, two in patients with anxiety and two in patients with both. In a supportive setting, ayahuasca, psilocybin, and LSD consistently produced immediate and significant anti-depressant and anxiolytic effects that were endured for several months. Psychedelics were well-tolerated. The most common adverse effects were transient anxiety, short-lived headaches, nausea and mild increases in heart rate and blood pressure. At present, the number of studies on this subject is very limited; and the number of participating patients within these is also limited as the treatment under investigations is a relatively novel concept. Though further evidence is required, psychedelics appear to be effective in significantly reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety and are well-tolerated.