Psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression: How do we advance the field?
Sally Meikle, Paul Liknaitzky, Susan L. Rossell, Margaret Ross, Nigel Strauss, Neil Thomas, Greg Murray, M.l. Williams, David Castle
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry November 22, 2019 DOI: 10.1177/0004867419888575 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPsilocybin, a psychedelic drug, is gaining attention as a potential treatment for depression due to its mechanism of action, benefits in early trials, and relatively low side effect burden. This viewpoint outlines key unresolved issues for its clinical use: identifying which patients are most likely to benefit or experience adverse effects, understanding longer-term outcomes, and clarifying the role of psychotherapeutic support alongside the drug. There are also opportunities to better understand the neurobiology underlying its effects.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Viewpoint Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Psychology Psychotherapist Depression economics |
| Citations | 19 |
| Key finding | Psilocybin shows promise for depression treatment, but key issues remain about patient selection, adverse effects, long-term outcomes, and the role of psychotherapy. |
Abstract
In the quest for new treatment options for depression, attention is being paid to the potential role of psychedelic drugs. Psilocybin is of particular interest given its mechanism of action, its benefits in early trials and its relatively low side effects burden. This viewpoint outlines a number of key issues that remain to be elucidated about its potential use in the clinical environment, including clarification of the profile of people most likely to benefit and those who might experience adverse effects, longer-term outcomes and the role of psychotherapeutic input alongside the drug itself. There are also opportunities to understand better, the neurobiology underpinning its effects.