The Effects of Daytime Psilocybin Administration on Sleep: Implications for Antidepressant Action
Daniela Dudysová, Karolína Janků, Michal Šmotek, Elizaveta Saifutdinová, Jana Kopřivová, Jitka Bušková, Bryce A. Mander, Martin Brunovský, Peter Zach, Jakub Korčák, Veronika Andrashko, Michaela Viktorinová, Filip Tylš, Anna Bravermanová, Tom Froese, Tomáš Páleníček, Jiřı́ Horáček
Frontiers in Pharmacology December 3, 2020 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.602590 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Double-blind Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 20 |
| Population | Healthy volunteers |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Duration | Night after psilocybin administration |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Antidepressant Slow-wave sleep Sleep spindle Sleep system call Sleep stages Sleep onset Electroencephalography |
| Citations | 37 |
| Key findings | Psilocybin prolonged REM sleep latency and suppressed slow-wave activity in the first sleep cycle, with no evidence of sleep-related neuroplasticity. |
Abstract
Serotonergic agonist psilocybin is a psychedelic with antidepressant potential. Sleep may interact with psilocybin’s antidepressant properties like other antidepressant drugs via induction of neuroplasticity. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of psilocybin on sleep architecture on the night after psilocybin administration. Regarding the potential antidepressant properties, we hypothesized that psilocybin, similar to other classical antidepressants, would reduce rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and prolong REM sleep latency. Moreover, we also hypothesized that psilocybin would promote slow-wave activity (SWA) expression in the first sleep cycle, a marker of sleep-related neuroplasticity. Twenty healthy volunteers (10 women, age 28–53) underwent two drug administration sessions, psilocybin or placebo, in a randomized, double-blinded design. Changes in sleep macrostructure, SWA during the first sleep cycle, whole night EEG spectral power across frequencies in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and REM sleep, and changes in subjective sleep measures were analyzed. The results revealed prolonged REM sleep latency after psilocybin administration and a trend toward a decrease in overall REM sleep duration. No changes in NREM sleep were observed. Psilocybin did not affect EEG power spectra in NREM or REM sleep when examined across the whole night. However, psilocybin suppressed SWA in the first sleep cycle. No evidence was found for sleep-related neuroplasticity, however, a different dosage, timing, effect on homeostatic regulation of sleep, or other mechanisms related to antidepressant effects may play a role. Overall, this study suggests that potential antidepressant properties of psilocybin might be related to changes in sleep.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Cancer patients with life-threatening diagnoses and symptoms of depression and/or anxiety | 2016 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 51 |
| Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Patients with cancer-related anxiety and depression | 2016 | Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial | n = 29 |
| Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Hallucinogen-naïve adults reporting regular participation in religious or spiritual... | 2006 | Double-blind study | n = 36 |
| Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression Selected group of patients with depression | 2021 | Randomized controlled trial | |
| Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder Adults aged 21 to 75 years with major depressive disorder, not currently using... | 2020 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 24 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 35
- Efficacy and safety of psychedelics for the treatment of mental disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry Research May 1, 2024
- Psychedelic Therapy's Transdiagnostic Effects: A Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) Perspective Frontiers in Psychiatry December 17, 2021
- Psychedelic-Induced Neural Plasticity: A Comprehensive Review and a Discussion of Clinical Implications. Brain Sciences January 25, 2025
- Psilocin acutely alters sleep-wake architecture and cortical brain activity in laboratory mice Translational Psychiatry February 23, 2022
- (S)-Ketamine but Not (R)-Ketamine Shows Acute Effects on Depression-Like Behavior and Sleep-Wake Architecture in Rats The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology September 25, 2023
and 30 more in the library
Cites 20
- 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
- Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity Cell Reports June 1, 2018
- The Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Drugs: Past, Present, and Future. Neuropsychopharmacology April 26, 2017
and 15 more in the library