Therapeutic potential of psilocybin in the pharmacological treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: a scoping review protocol.
Raul Edison Luna Lazo, Nicole Milagritos Cardoso Azorza, Jatziri Yanina Vilca Yanac, Ahmad Kassem El Zein, Omar Abraham Ramírez Paucar, Luana Mota Ferreira, Roberto Pontarolo
Open Science Framework July 9, 2026 DOI: 10.17605/osf.io/guqxr via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPsilocybin, a classic psychedelic that acts on serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, is being investigated as a potential treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a chronic condition marked by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. Many patients do not respond adequately to first-line treatments like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and cognitive behavioral therapy. This scoping review, following JBI recommendations and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, will systematically search PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for preclinical and clinical studies on psilocybin or psilocin for OCD. The review aims to map current evidence, identify knowledge gaps, and guide future research, particularly for treatment-resistant patients.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Scoping review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psilocybin Serotonin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Medline Therapeutic approach |
| Key finding | Psilocybin shows potential as an alternative pharmacological strategy for OCD, especially for treatment-resistant patients, but systematic evidence mapping is needed. |
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic neuropsychiatric condition characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors that cause distress and functional impairment worldwide. Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and cognitive behavioral therapy are first-line treatments, a considerable proportion of patients show an insufficient response, supporting the need for alternative pharmacological strategies. Psilocybin, a classic psychedelic metabolized into psilocin, has sparked interest for its activity in serotonergic pathways, especially 5-HT2A receptors, and its potential effects on neuroplasticity and brain network modulation. This scoping review aims to identify, characterize, and synthesize the available scientific evidence on the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in the pharmacological treatment of OCD, including preclinical findings, proposed mechanisms of action, and clinical evidence. The review will be conducted in accordance with the JBI recommendations and the data will be reported using the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Searches will be conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, with no language or publication date restrictions. Eligible studies will include preclinical and clinical research evaluating psilocybin or psilocin for OCD. The findings are expected to map current evidence, identify knowledge gaps, and guide future research on psilocybin as a potential therapeutic strategy for OCD, especially in patients with treatment-resistant symptoms and persistent impairment despite available standard interventions.