Psilocybin: the magic medicine for depression?
BJPsych Open June 1, 2021 Amber Elyse Corrigan, Ella Burchill, Lucy Pelton et al. 1 citation
Psilocybin, the active compound in 'magic mushrooms', combined with psychotherapy is safe and effective for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), the largest contributor to global disability. Its mechanism is not fully understood, but functional neuroimaging suggests short and long-term changes in default mode network connectivity, possibly a 'reset' mechanism that restores normal function and emotional responsiveness. The drug itself, the psychotherapeutic context, and post-drug integration all play significant roles. Despite promising findings, psilocybin is a Schedule I drug, creating ethical, legal, social, and economic barriers to widespread clinical implementation. Optimizing treatment parameters and systemic legislative change are needed before this therapy can become widely available.