Current Understanding on Psilocybin for Major Depressive Disorder: A Review Focusing on Clinical Trials
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience November 30, 2023 Sunghwan Kim, Won-Seok Choi, Hyun Kook Lim et al. 16 citations
Psilocybin shows promise for treating depression and anxiety, with notable safety profiles. A review of eleven clinical trials—six open-label and five double-blinded randomized trials—found that psilocybin, a 5-HT2A receptor agonist, may reduce depressive symptoms by increasing glutamate transmission, reducing brain inflammation, and decreasing default mode network activity. In treatment-resistant depression, a pilot study reported significant symptom reductions after two sessions, with sustained improvements and high remission rates. Among cancer patients, two trials showed reductions in anxiety and depression lasting over six months. In major depressive disorder, psilocybin produced rapid depression reductions with higher remission rates than escitalopram. A dose-response trial found that 25 mg, but not 10 mg, was superior to 1 mg. Further research should explore optimal dosages and long-term effects.