The emerging role of psilocybin and MDMA in the treatment of mental illness
Hartej Gill, Barjot Gill, David C J Chen-Li, Sabine El‐halabi, Nelson B Rodrigues, S. Danielle, Orly Lipsitz, Yena Lee, Joshua D. Rosenblat, Amna Majeed, Rodrigo B. Mansur, Flora Nasri, Roger Ho, Roger S McIntyre
Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics September 21, 2020 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2020.1826931 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | MDMA Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Mental illness Mental health Tolerability Hallucinogen Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 62 |
| Key findings | Psychedelics may offer a single-dose, rapid effect model with robust effects for treatment-resistant mental disorders and a potential advantage as a monotherapy. |
Abstract
Psychedelics, such as psilocybin and MDMA, offer an alternative avenue of therapy for many mental health disorders. Available evidence indicates that psychedelics may offer a single-dose, rapid effect model that have robust effects with treatment-resistant mental disorders and a unique advantage as a possible monotherapy for mental illness. Novel clinical trials that evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy in clinically representative populations are warranted.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Pharmacology of MDMA | 2004 | Review | |
| Human psychopharmacology of Ecstasy (MDMA): a review of 15 years of empirical research | 2001 | Review | |
| 3,4‐Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”): pharmacology and toxicology in animals and humans | 1994 | Review | |
| (±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’)-Induced Serotonin Neurotoxicity: Studies in Animals | 2000 | Review | |
| Amphetamine toxicities | 2010 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 38
- Molecular Mechanisms of Psilocybin and Implications for the Treatment of Depression CNS Drugs November 17, 2021
- Registered clinical studies investigating psychedelic drugs for psychiatric disorders. Journal of Psychiatric Research July 1, 2021
- The Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) Task Force Report: Serotonergic Psychedelic Treatments for Major Depressive Disorder The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry August 17, 2022
- Discovering the Potential Mechanisms of Medicinal Mushrooms Antidepressant Activity: A Review Antioxidants March 2, 2023
- A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of the effect of psilocybin and methylenedioxymethamphetamine on mental, behavioural or developmental disorders Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry March 12, 2022
and 33 more in the library
Cites 58
- 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 with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016
- Ketamine and Ketamine Metabolite Pharmacology: Insights into Therapeutic Mechanisms Pharmacological Reviews June 26, 2018
- Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Archives of General Psychiatry September 7, 2010
and 53 more in the library