Psilocybin for psychiatric disorders: History, clinical trials, neuroimaging, and regulations
Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences February 26, 2026 Kengo Yonezawa, M. Hirata, Hiroaki Takano et al. 1 citation
Psilocybin, a classic psychedelic compound, is being reexamined as a treatment for psychiatric disorders after decades of legal restrictions. Clinical trials report therapeutic effects for major depressive disorder, depressive symptoms in life-threatening illnesses, and some substance use disorders, with phase III trials for depression underway. Short-term side effects are generally mild and transient, but long-term effects need investigation. Neuroimaging research, mainly using MRI and EEG, is limited and focused on MDD, though ongoing trials include broader studies. Regulatory frameworks vary; controlled use is permitted in Switzerland, parts of the US, Canada, and Australia. Challenges remain, including the need for larger blinded trials and standardized protocols.