Unmet need in depression: Psilocybin, a breakthrough treatment option
Yogesh Kumar Chahar
International Journal of Advanced Research in Medicine 2021 DOI: 10.22271/27069567.2021.v3.i1f.159 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Depression economics Disease Dementia Antidepressant Intensive care medicine |
| Key findings | Psilocybin shows potential as a novel treatment for major depressive disorder, supported by recent clinical data and recognized as a breakthrough therapy by the FDA. |
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) has become a health crisis of epidemic proportions in the modern world. One in six individuals in the world is experiencing an episode of major depression in his or her lifetime, and it is estimated that major depression will rank second after cardiac disease as a cause of international medical morbidity by the year 2020. Depression is associated with greater disability than are most other chronic illnesses and is a risk factor for mortality. Additionally, depression predicts the later development of a number of medical conditions, including cardiac and cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, dementia, and cancer. Unfortunately, most patients with depression do not experience a complete resolution of symptoms with antidepressant treatment. Partial-but incomplete-response to antidepressants is associated with an increased risk of full symptomatic relapse (even when on therapy) and a worse long-term disease course. Combined with the high prevalence and significant disability associated with MDD, the fact that currently available treatments are not fully adequate highlights the tremendous need to identify novel treatment strategies. In this review, we have compiled the information available about the potential of psilocybin in the treatment of MDD. This is recently called as breakthrough treatment by FDA. We have presented recent clinical study data to support the notion. This will surely help all health care practitioners to consider this drug in future for the treatment of their patients suffering with MDD.
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 |