The effects of psilocybin on cognition and emotional processing in healthy adults and adults with depression: a systematic literature review
Laura Ramos, Selene G Vicente
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology May 27, 2024 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2024.2363343 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Topics | Psilocybin Depression |
| Keywords | Cognition Depression disorder Emotional processing Healthy adults Psychedelic medicine Hallucinogenic compounds Psychiatric treatment Behavioral health Mental flexibility Thinking patterns |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Psilocybin acutely alters several cognitive domains in a dose- and time-dependent manner with a localized rather than global focus. |
Abstract
Psilocybin acutely alters several cognitive domains, with a localized rather than global focus, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. However, the significant methodological constraints call for further research, in the context of depression and with standardized protocols, with longitudinal studies also imperative.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin for depression, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. General population | 2019 | Integrative review | |
| Molecular Mechanisms of Psilocybin and Implications for the Treatment of Depression | 2021 | Review | |
| Registered clinical studies investigating psychedelic drugs for psychiatric disorders. Registered clinical trials on clinicaltrials.gov evaluating psychedelics for... | 2021 | Review | n = 70 |
| Depression, Mindfulness, and Psilocybin: Possible Complementary Effects of Mindfulness Meditation and Psilocybin in the Treatment of Depression. A Review | 2020 | Review | |
| From psychiatry to neurology: Psychedelics as prospective therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders | 2021 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Effects of LSD, DMT and psilocybin on cognitive and psychological functions: A systematic review of the literature Journal of Psychopharmacology February 16, 2026
- Investigating the impact of serotonergic psychedelic drugs, MDMA and ketamine on social cognition in psychiatric disorders: A scoping review. Psychopharmacology July 1, 2026
- Inhibition of cortico-amygdala projections underlies affective bias modification by psilocybin bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) March 4, 2026
- The subtle science: a systematic review of psilocybin magic mushroom and truffle microdosing Frontiers in Psychiatry August 19, 2026
Cites 88
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016
- The entropic brain: a theory of conscious states informed by neuroimaging research with psychedelic drugs Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2014
and 83 more in the library