This review (2017) evaluates the therapeutic research into psilocybin as a treatment for addiction, treatment-resistant depression, and mood and anxiety disorders. The authors also analyse the safety data from these clinical trials.
Abstract of Potential Therapeutic Effects of Psilocybin
“Psilocybin and other 5-hydroxytryptamine2A agonist classic psychedelics have been used for centuries as sacraments within indigenous cultures. In the mid-twentieth century they were a focus within psychiatry as both probes of brain function and experimental therapeutics. By the late 1960s and early 1970s these scientific inquires fell out of favor because classic psychedelics were being used outside of medical research and in association with the emerging counter culture. However, in the twenty-first century, scientific interest in classic psychedelics has returned and grown as a result of several promising studies, validating earlier research. Here, we review therapeutic research on psilocybin, the classic psychedelic that has been the focus of most recent research. For mood and anxiety disorders, three controlled trials have suggested that psilocybin may decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety in the context of cancer-related psychiatric distress for at least 6 months following a single acute administration. A small, open-label study in patients with treatment-resistant depression showed reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms 3 months after two acute doses. For addiction, small, open-label pilot studies have shown promising success rates for both tobacco and alcohol addiction. Safety data from these various trials, which involve careful screening, preparation, monitoring, and follow-up, indicate the absence of severe drug-related adverse reactions. Modest drug-related adverse effects at the time of medication administration are readily managed. US federal funding has yet to support therapeutic psilocybin research, although such support will be important to thoroughly investigate efficacy, safety, and therapeutic mechanisms.”
Authors: Matthew W. Johnson & Roland R. Griffiths
Summary of Potential Therapeutic Effects of Psilocybin
Various indigenous societies have used psychedelic compounds for centuries, typically incorporating them into sacramental contexts. In 1943, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) was synthesized and identified as psychoactive. Classic psychedelics were studied in the 1950s and 1960s for the treatment of end-of-life psychiatric distress secondary to cancer and addiction. However, most studies did not employ rigorous designs by current standards, and political backlash ended nearly all human classic psychedelic research.
Psilocybin
Psilocybin is found in over 100 species of mushrooms and is metabolized to psilocin, which is the active agent in the central nervous system. Psilocybin has low physiological toxicity and low abuse liability.
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Potential Therapeutic Effects of Psilocybin
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-017-0542-y
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Cite this paper (APA)
Johnson, M. W., & Griffiths, R. R. (2017). Potential therapeutic effects of psilocybin. Neurotherapeutics, 14, 734-740.
Study details
Compounds studied
Psilocybin
Topics studied
Anxiety
Depression
Study characteristics
Literature Review
Authors
Authors associated with this publication with profiles on Blossom
Roland GriffithsRoland R. Griffiths is one of the strongest voices in psychedelics research. With over 400 journal articles under his belt and as one of the first researchers in the psychedelics renaissance, he has been a vital part of the research community.
Matthew Johnson
Matthew Johnson is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University. His research is concerned with addiction medicine, drug abuse, and drug dependence.
Institutes
Institutes associated with this publication
Johns Hopkins UniversityJohns Hopkins University (Medicine) is host to the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, which is one of the leading research institutes into psychedelics. The center is led by Roland Griffiths and Matthew Johnson.