Mechanisms of psilocybin on the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder
Charles Q. Choi, Danica E. Johnson, David C J Chen-Li, Joshua D. Rosenblat
Journal of Psychopharmacology October 3, 2024 DOI: 10.1177/02698811241286771 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Topics | Anxiety Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Posttraumatic stress Arousal Hallucinogen Mood Pharmacotherapy Psychotherapist Clinical psychology Cognition Exposure therapy |
| Citations | 11 |
| Key findings | Psilocybin may be an underexplored treatment option for PTSD, though further research is required. |
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can develop after a traumatic event, causing distressing symptoms, including intrusive re-experiencing symptoms, alterations in mood and cognition, and changes in arousal and reactivity. Few treatment options exist for patients who find conventional psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy to be inaccessible, ineffective, or intolerable. We explore psilocybin as a potential treatment option for PTSD by examining the neurobiology of PTSD as well as psilocybin’s mechanism of action. Based on both pharmacodynamic and psychoanalytic principles, psilocybin may be an underexplored treatment option for patients with PTSD, though further research is required.