Psilocybin as an alternative to conventional treatments: A systematic review
Gaceta Médica de Caracas April 22, 2026 Deivid Antonio Cahuasqui-Mendoza
Psilocybin-assisted therapy shows promise for treating depression and anxiety, especially in cases resistant to conventional treatments. A systematic review of controlled clinical trials from 2020 to 2025, following PRISMA guidelines, included adults aged 18-65 with DSM-5 diagnoses of depression or anxiety who received psilocybin with psychotherapeutic support. Due to methodological differences across studies, a qualitative narrative synthesis was conducted. The review highlights psilocybin's effects on neuroplasticity and brain networks as a potential therapeutic mechanism, but the heterogeneity of the studies prevents a quantitative meta-analysis.