Natural Psychoplastogens As Antidepressant Agents

This review (2020) explored recent advances in natural psychoplastogens (psychedelics) as antidepressant agents. The study noted that these compounds are effective in rapid structural and functional rearrangement of neural systems by targeting mechanisms that were previously implicated in the development of depression. The study observed the evidence that they expend potent acute and long-term positive effects, beyond the treatment of psychiatric disorders with many of them being naturally occurring compounds, like psilocybin and DMT.

Abstract

“Increasing prevalence and burden of major depressive disorder presents an unavoidable problem for psychiatry. Existing antidepressants exert their effect only after several weeks of continuous treatment. In addition, their serious side effects and ineffectiveness in one-third of patients call for urgent action. Recent advances have given rise to the concept of psychoplastogens. These compounds are capable of fast structural and functional rearrangement of neural networks by targeting mechanisms previously implicated in the development of depression. Furthermore, evidence shows that they exert a potent acute and long-term positive effects, reaching beyond the treatment of psychiatric diseases. Several of them are naturally occurring compounds, such as psilocybin, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, and 7,8-dihydroxyflavone. Their pharmacology and effects in animal and human studies were discussed in this article.”

Authors: Jakub Benko & Stanislava Vranková