Psychedelics for major depression-From controlled research settings into broader clinical use.
Cell Rep Med September 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2025.102361 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Depression |
| Keywords | Psychedelics Psychedelic compounds Entheogens Major depression Mood disorder Therapy Treatment Novel therapies Clinical use Therapeutic options Symptom alleviation Clinical research Studies Trials |
| Key findings | Psychedelics show antidepressant effects in phase 2 trials, but the mechanisms remain incompletely understood. |
Abstract
Psychedelics have shown promising antidepressant effects in recent phase 2 randomized controlled trials, with phase 3 studies underway. While therapeutic outcomes are encouraging, the underlying mechanisms—from receptor-level pharmacology to subjective experience and context—remain only partially understood. We highlight clinical and mechanistic advances and outline priorities for future research. Psychedelics have shown promising antidepressant effects in recent phase 2 randomized controlled trials, with phase 3 studies underway. While therapeutic outcomes are encouraging, the underlying mechanisms—from receptor-level pharmacology to subjective experience and context—remain only partially understood. We highlight clinical and mechanistic advances and outline priorities for future research.