The psychedelic renaissance: the next trip for psychiatry?
John R. Kelly, Annie Baker, Mona Babiker, Lisa M. Burke, Christine Brennan, Veronica O’keane
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine September 23, 2019 DOI: 10.1017/ipm.2019.39 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Randomized Double-blind Open-label Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Psilocybin with psychological support |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Mood The renaissance Clinical psychology Psychotherapist |
| Citations | 22 |
| Key findings | Preliminary clinical studies suggest psilocybin with psychological support improves mood, anxiety, and quality of life, with a seminal open-label study showing marked reductions in depression symptoms in treatment-resistant depression. |
Abstract
The psychedelic research renaissance is gaining traction. Preliminary clinical studies of the hallucinogenic fungi, psilocybin, with psychological support, have indicated improvements in mood, anxiety and quality of life. A seminal, open-label study demonstrated marked reductions in depression symptoms in participants with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The associated neurobiological processes involve alterations in brain connectivity, together with altered amygdala and default mode network activity. At the cellular level, psychedelics promote synaptogenesis and neural plasticity. Prompted by the promising preliminary studies, a randomized, double-blind trial has recently been launched across Europe and North America to investigate the efficacy of psilocybin in TRD. One of these centres is based in Ireland – CHO Area 7 and Tallaght University Hospital. The outcome of this trial will determine whether psilocybin with psychological support will successfully translate into the psychiatric clinic for the benefit of patients.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin for anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelics as anti-inflammatory agents Animal models and cellular studies | 2018 | Review | |
| Ayahuasca: Pharmacology, neuroscience and therapeutic potential | 2016 | Review | |
| Psychedelic Drugs in Biomedicine | 2017 | Review | |
| A review of emerging therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs in the treatment of psychiatric illnesses | 2020 | Review | |
| Psychedelics and health behaviour change | 2021 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 17
- Default Mode Network Modulation by Psychedelics: A Systematic Review The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology October 21, 2022
- Psychedelic perceptions: mental health service user attitudes to psilocybin therapy Irish Journal of Medical Science June 15, 2021
- Indigenous Philosophies and the "Psychedelic Renaissance" Anthropology of Consciousness July 30, 2022
- Psychedelic Therapy's Transdiagnostic Effects: A Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) Perspective Frontiers in Psychiatry December 17, 2021
- A century of research on psychedelics: A scientometric analysis on trends and knowledge maps of hallucinogens, entactogens, entheogens and dissociative drugs. European Neuropsychopharmacology November 1, 2022
and 12 more in the library
Cites 33
- 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
- Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Archives of General Psychiatry September 7, 2010
and 28 more in the library