PTSD Treatment: An Inquiry into the Promising Potential of Psilocybin
Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research July 24, 2024 Ibrahim Lanre Folorunsho, Nkechinyere Mary Harry, Chukwubueze Obiajunwa et al.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition affecting individuals and society. This review highlights psilocybin's potential as a treatment, noting that after metabolism to psilocin it binds to serotonergic receptors, reducing negative mood, increasing optimism, enhancing introspection, and lowering amygdala reactivity. Animal studies show fear extinction and increased hippocampal neurogenesis. Side effects include nausea and physical discomfort. The review indicates an urgent need for innovative therapies and suggests psilocybin and other psychedelics offer prospects for treating PTSD symptoms directly or as an adjunct to psychotherapy.