O papel da Psilocibina no tratamento de depressão resistente / The role of Psilocybin in the treatment of resistant depression
Brazilian Journal of Health Review April 19, 2021 Giovanni Pereira Pio, Aline Moreira Vitorino, Naira Braga Aidar et al. 2 citations
Depression is a psychiatric disorder marked by acute or recurrent episodes of depressed mood and loss of interest or pleasure, leading to functional impairment. Psilocybin, a psychedelic drug derived from Psilocybe mushrooms, acts as a serotonin receptor agonist, particularly at 5-HT2A, with some effects on 5-HT1A and 5-HT2C receptors, and no direct dopaminergic effects. It reduces blood flow in the medial prefrontal cortex, normalizing hyperactivity and altering brain activity that drives depressive mood. This mechanism offers a new pharmacokinetic approach distinct from selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. A systematic review of 8 selected publications suggests psilocybin has promising therapeutic potential for treatment-resistant depression, though larger volunteer samples and determination of an effective dose are needed.