Introduction During the last decade there has been a resurgence of interest on the use of psychedelics as novel treatments for mental disorders, including treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Psilocybin, the chemical component of “magic mushrooms”, has been administered with psychotherapy in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) showing large and sustained antidepressant effects. As the use of...
Background: The therapeutic potential of subanesthetic doses of ketamine appears promising in unipolar depression; however, its effectiveness in treating bipolar depression (BD) remains uncertain. Objective: This systematic review aimed to summarize findings on the use of ketamine for the treatment of BD by assessing its efficacy, safety, and tolerability. Design: Systematic review. Methods: We...
Classic psychedelics are a loosely grouped class of drugs that activate serotonin 5HT2A receptors to induce complex behavioral, psychological, and physiological effects [1]; 5HT2A agonism induces the hallucinogenic experiences that distinguish psychedelics [2] while pre-medicating with a 5HT2A antagonist, such as ketanserin, prevents them [3,4]. In the 1950s and 1960s, after Albert Hoffman’s...