Fármacos enteógenos y la depresión resistente al tratamiento: Una revisión narrativa
Psicumex June 1, 2024 Andrea Herrera Solís, Jacqueline Cortés Morelos, Alejandra E. Ruiz Contreras et al.
Entheogens have emerged in clinical research as an alternative treatment for Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD). They produce rapid and lasting antidepressant effects, are anxiolytic, and mitigate suicidal ideation. Additionally, they induce positive emotions and provoke mystical or spiritual experiences, attributes that may contribute to their therapeutic efficacy given the protective influence of mysticism and religiosity against depression. This narrative review discusses existing evidence on the use of entheogens for TRD, provides an updated understanding of the research landscape, and discusses mechanisms of action for compounds such as psilocybin, DMT, LSD, ketamine, esketamine, and cannabinoids. The efficacy of entheogens in managing depression has been consistently validated in clinical trials, though limited understanding of potential adverse effects, especially long-term, remains despite data supporting acute tolerability.