The use of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression
Læknablaðið September 6, 2022 Arny Johannesdottir, Engilbert Sigurðsson 4 citations
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, shows promise as a treatment for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). A single 25 mg oral dose, accompanied by 5-8 hours of psychological support, produces antidepressant effects. Common side effects include headache, nausea, fatigue, and insomnia. A systematic review found significant antidepressant efficacy in certain groups, and a double-blind randomized study reported effects comparable to the SSRI escitalopram. In a phase 2 COMPASS Pathways study, about one third of participants experienced rapid response and remission within three weeks of psilocybin-COMP360 treatment. Recent studies indicate psilocybin significantly reduces depressive symptom severity and is generally well tolerated, though further research is needed before licensing for TRD.