Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -)
June 15, 2021
Kate Corrigan, Maeve Haran, Conor Mccandliss et al.
79 citations
A survey of 99 mental health service users (52% female, average age 42) found that 72% supported further research into psilocybin therapy and 59% supported psilocybin as a medical treatment. 27% had previously used recreational psilocybin, more often men. Younger people, those with prior psychedelic experience, and those with non-religious beliefs held more favorable attitudes. 55% would accept psilocybin therapy if a doctor recommended it, while 20% would not. People with depression or anxiety were less likely to have used recreational psychedelics but more likely to support government-funded studies. Only 5% of those with conditions like psychosis or bipolar disorder thought psilocybin would be useful for them.
Acta neuropsychiatrica
July 25, 2025
Guillaume Thuery, Christopher Sheridan, Patricia Iusan et al.
4 citations
This narrative review synthesizes clinical and preclinical research on how 5-HT2A receptor psychedelics interact with the immune system. The evidence shows these compounds have direct immunomodulatory properties, including downregulation of gene regulators like NF-κB and reduced expression of cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. These effects are accompanied by modulation of corticotrophin releasing hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, and cortisol. The immunomodulation occurs through pathways involving serotonin receptors, the Sigma-1 receptor, and the TrkB receptor, as well as indirectly via the HPA axis. The review identifies that modulation of brain glia and glial-neuronal interactions remains to be determined, representing a promising direction for future research on the therapeutic potential of these psychedelics for mental health and brain disorders.
JAMA Psychiatry
March 25, 2026
Wiesław Jerzy Cubała, Malek Bajbouj, Michael Bauer et al.
3 citations
A single day of treatment with an inhaled synthetic formulation of mebufotenin (GH001) significantly reduced depression symptoms in adults with treatment-resistant depression compared to placebo. In a randomized, double-blind trial of 81 patients, those receiving up to three escalating doses of GH001 showed an average 15.5-point greater improvement on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale by day 8 than those on placebo. Remission rates were 57.5% for GH001 and 0% for placebo. No severe or serious adverse events occurred. The findings suggest GH001 may be a rapid-acting, well-tolerated treatment option for treatment-resistant depression.