Psilocybin-assisted treatment of depression
Barbara Anna Zapalska, Antonina Teresa Witkowska, Anna Cukrowska, Artur Galus
Medical Science July 30, 2025 DOI: 10.54905/disssi.v29i161.e110ms3657 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Duration | Up to 12 weeks |
| Topics | Depression Psilocybin |
| Key findings | Psilocybin demonstrated rapid and long-lasting antidepressant activity in treatment-resistant depression after a single dose, sustained for up to 12 weeks, with mild adverse events. |
Abstract
Depression, a common mental disorder, affects people at different stages of life.Classic antidepressant treatment is generally effective, however, it is prolonged.Nonetheless, numerous patients who undergo various classic antidepressant therapies still suffer from depression.Therefore, the search for novel medications is essential.In this review, we explore the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, an alkaloid found in several species of psilocybe mushrooms.Psilocybin mainly acts agonistically through serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine type 2A (5-HT2A) receptors.However, the exact mechanism of the proposed antidepressant impact remains unknown.In the reviewed materials, psilocybin demonstrated rapid and longlasting antidepressant activity in treatment-resistant depression -the therapeutic effect occurred after only a single dose and was sustained for up to 12 weeks.The intensity of psychedelic experience correlated with the strength of the antidepressant action.In comparison to escitalopram, psilocybin acted more quickly and had longer-lasting effects, suggesting its potential as an alternative to classic antidepressants.The adverse events of psilocybin were mild.The findings presented in our work offer a promising perspective for patients who have previously not responded to standard antidepressant treatment.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin for depression, 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 | |
| Molecular Mechanisms of Psilocybin and Implications for the Treatment of Depression | 2021 | Review | |
| Registered clinical studies investigating psychedelic drugs for psychiatric disorders. Registered clinical trials on clinicaltrials.gov evaluating psychedelics for... | 2021 | Review | n = 70 |
| Depression, Mindfulness, and Psilocybin: Possible Complementary Effects of Mindfulness Meditation and Psilocybin in the Treatment of Depression. A Review | 2020 | Review | |
| From psychiatry to neurology: Psychedelics as prospective therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders | 2021 | Review |