Neurobiological mechanisms of antidepressant properties of psilocybin: A systematic review of blood biomarkers.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry January 10, 2025 Juliana Lima Constantino, Jens H van Dalfsen, Sara Massetti et al. 6 citations
A systematic review of nine studies found that psilocybin consistently decreases interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and eosinophils, and increases cortisol, prolactin, oxytocin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and free fatty acids in healthy participants. These biomarker changes align with preclinical evidence and suggest psilocybin may have beneficial effects on biological processes involved in major depressive disorder. However, results are preliminary due to the small number of studies and exclusive use of healthy volunteers. Further research with clinical populations, larger samples, and longer follow-up is needed before drawing firm conclusions.