Psilocybin: Systematic review of its use in the treatment of depression

Psilocybin, a psychedelic compound, shows promise for treating depression, particularly when standard treatments fail. This systematic review of studies published between 2019 and 2024 found that psilocybin leads to significant improvements in depressive symptoms compared to conventional therapies, with rapid and sustained symptom reduction and few adverse effects. The review concludes that psilocybin may be an effective and safe alternative, offering relief with fewer treatment sessions and a favorable safety profile, though more research is needed to understand its mechanisms and address current limitations.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Introduction Psilocybin, a psychedelic compound, has shown potential in treating depression, especially in cases resistant to conventional treatments. This study systematically reviews the scientific literature to assess its efficacy and safety. Objectives The main objective of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic effects of psilocybin for the treatment of depressive disorder through a systematic review of the current scientific literature Methods An exhaustive search was conducted in databases such as PubMed and Web of Science, using specific MeSH term and selecting studies published between 2019-2024 that investigated the effects of psilocybin in treating depression. Results The included studies demonstrated significant improvements in depressive symptoms with psylocibin compared to standard treatments. Studies reports a rapid and sustained symptom reduction, with few adverse effects. Conclusions Psilocybin could be an effective and safe alternative for treating depression, providing symptomatic relief with fewer treatment sessions and a favorable safety profile. However, further research is needed to overcome current limitations and fully understand its therapeutic potential and underlying mechanisms. Disclosure of Interest None Declared