Cureus
May 27, 2022
Robert Sotille, Herpreet Singh, Anne Weisman et al.
2 citations
Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound, may relieve depression by promoting neuronal plasticity and altering brain network connectivity. Recent clinical trials suggest it effectively reduces symptoms in major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression. Cellular experiments in mice demonstrate psilocybin promotes neuritogenesis, potentially addressing the cellular root of depression. Human brain imaging shows psilocybin therapy enhances functional connectivity in intrinsic networks, leading to durable improvements in depressive symptoms. This review highlights psilocybin's promise as a psychotherapeutic that targets neuronal atrophy, a model supplanting the neurotransmitter deficit hypothesis.
American Journal of Therapeutics
February 20, 2026
Burton J. Tabaac, Kenneth Shinozuka, Anne Weisman et al.
5-MeO-DMT, an ultra-short-acting psychedelic, shows promise for treating depression that does not respond to other therapies, as well as other psychiatric conditions. This evidence supports the need for larger randomized controlled trials to further investigate its effectiveness.
Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience
September 2, 2024
Shiven Chaudhry, Anne Weisman, Molly M. Hagen et al.
A two-hour team-based learning curriculum improved medical students' knowledge, comprehension, and ethical understanding of psychedelic therapies. Pre- and post-surveys from 63 and 50 students, respectively, showed significant gains in perceived knowledge and attitudes, while 48 matched pre/post-knowledge tests demonstrated enhanced comprehension. Qualitative feedback indicated greater comfort discussing psychedelics clinically, though some students expressed reservations about psychedelic-assisted therapy. The curriculum addresses an educational gap as psychedelic medicine becomes more relevant.
Burton J. Tabaac, Kenneth Shinozuka, Anne Weisman et al.
preprint
5-MeO-DMT, a psychedelic found in toad venom and some plants, shows rapid antidepressant effects in early clinical trials. A Phase 2b trial reported that 57.5% of participants with treatment-resistant depression achieved remission within eight days. Other Phase 2a and 2b trials suggest it may reduce depressive symptoms more effectively than existing treatments like SSRIs. The substance appears low-risk in controlled settings, though most studies are small and only two double-blind randomized controlled trials have been conducted in clinical populations. Long-term effects need further study, and its possible link to near-death experiences remains debated.