PSILOCYBIN IN THE TREATMENT OF DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS: CLINICAL EVIDENCE AND ITS POTENTIAL TO ADDRESS THE GLOBAL MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS - A REVIEW
International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science June 24, 2026 Aleksandra Łoś, Kacper Szkodziński, Inga Jakubczyk et al.
Depressive disorders affect up to 16% of the population over a lifetime and are a leading cause of disability. For 20–50% of patients, standard treatments fail, leading to treatment-resistant depression (TRD). A review of studies on psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) for major depressive disorder (MDD) and TRD found that PAT offers a faster onset of action than traditional antidepressants, with symptom reduction often occurring within the first week and lasting 6–12 months. Many patients also improved in anhedonia, anxiety, and psychosocial functioning. Psilocybin represents a promising alternative for severe depression and TRD, with rapid and lasting effects.