Role of psilocybin in the treatment of depression
Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology October 27, 2016 DOI: 10.1177/2045125316676092 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Anxiety LSD Psilocybin Depression |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Mood Recreational drug Global population Psychotherapist |
| Citations | 37 |
| Key findings | Psilocybin does not lead to serious physical or mental health problems or dependent use and is being explored for therapeutic utility in mood and anxiety disorders. |
Abstract
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring alkaloid, pharmacologically similar to the classic hallucinogen lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Although primarily used as a recreational drug or an entheogen in particular cultural settings, recent population based studies have shown that it does not lead to serious physical or mental health problems or dependent use. In view of recent work demonstrating psilocybin’s potential to increase subjective sense of wellbeing and because of its novel mechanism of 5-HT 2A serotonin receptor agonism, it is being explored for possible therapeutic utility in mood and anxiety disorders.