Psychoactive substances in psychotherapy - A vision for the future? – A systematic review on Psilocybin
Jenny Tetem, Tamara Fischmann, Tim Julian Möller
July 6, 2023 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/ztyxh (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Literature review |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Topics | Addiction Anxiety Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Depression economics Population Blinding Psychotherapist Clinical psychology Clinical trial |
| Key findings | The greatest evidence for psilocybin use was found in treating tobacco addiction and anxiety and depression related to life-threatening illnesses, with rapid clinical improvement and no serious adverse events, though limitations include small sample sizes, blinding difficulties, and non-representative populations. |
Abstract
This work is a literature review on the use of psilocybin in psychotherapeutic treatment of mental illnesses. The review answers the question of what opportunities and risks are associated with the use of the psychoactive substance psilocybin. Peer-reviewed studies between 2017 and 2022 were included. Nine studies were found regarding the following indications: tobacco addiction, anxiety and depressive states related to life-threatening cancer, as well as treatment-resistant depression. A rapid clinical improvement of various symptoms was observed. The greatest evidence for the use of psilocybin was found in treating tobacco addiction and anxiety and depression related to life-threatening illnesses. No serious adverse events were reported in the studies. However, current studies have limitations, such as small sample sizes, difficulties with blinding, and a treatment population considered non-representative. The results are not representative but provide indications of effective treatment and are a starting point for further studies.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin for addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. General population | 2019 | Integrative review | |
| Psychedelics as anti-inflammatory agents Animal models and cellular studies | 2018 | Review | |
| Psychedelic Drugs in Biomedicine | 2017 | Review | |
| DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Psilocybin | 2018 | Review | |
| Psilocybin for treating substance use disorders? | 2016 | Narrative review |
Citations in the library
Cites 111
- A default mode of brain function Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 16, 2001
- 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
and 106 more in the library