[Are psychedelics fast acting antidepressant agents?].
Gerhard Gründer, Manuela Brand, Laura Kärtner, Dennis Scharf, Christian N. Schmitz, Moritz Spangemacher, Lea J. Mertens
Der Nervenarzt March 1, 2022 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-021-01255-1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Depression Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Onset of action Psychedelics |
| Key findings | Psilocybin shows a pronounced and very rapid antidepressant onset of action within one day for depression, treatment-resistant depression, and depression in life-threatening cancer, with effects lasting several months. |
Abstract
Psychedelics, such as psilocybin represent one of the most promising current therapeutic approaches in psychiatry. Psychedelics seem to have not only potent antidepressant effects. Do they also work particularly quickly, i.e. within one day? The available literature on clinical studies of psychedelics in depressive syndromes is presented both from the period up to the prohibition of these substances in the late 1960s as well as after the resumption of research in the 2000s. One focus is the speed of onset of antidepressant action. Only the clinical studies published since 2016 that meet modern methodological standards have also systematically examined the speed of the antidepressant onset of action. The published studies, which were almost exclusively carried out with psilocybin, so far show small sample sizes (the total number of patients with depression treated in published clinical studies is < 200) and some of them have methodological weaknesses; however, they suggest a pronounced and very rapid onset of action within one day for depression, treatment-resistant depression and depression in the context of life-threatening cancer. The available studies indicate a potent, rapid onset and in many cases long-lasting antidepressant effect over several months. The currently conducted studies with three-digit patient numbers will provide final information about the potential of psilocybin for depression.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Paradigm Shift in Psychiatric Research and Development | 2018 | Review | |
| Novel psychopharmacological therapies for psychiatric disorders: psilocybin and MDMA. | 2016 | Review | |
| Systematized Review of Psychotherapeutic Components of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy | 2021 | Systematized review | |
| The Emerging Field of Psychedelic Psychotherapy. | 2022 | Review | |
| Experience of Music Used With Psychedelic Therapy: A Rapid Review and Implications Participants in psychedelic therapy research aged 18–69 with varied backgrounds | 2020 | Rapid review | n = 180 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Psychedelic-Induced Neural Plasticity: A Comprehensive Review and a Discussion of Clinical Implications. Brain Sciences January 25, 2025
- Psychedelika in der Psychiatrie – Entwicklungen und die Stellung in Deutschland Fortschritte der Neurologie · Psychiatrie January 4, 2023
- Psilocybin as a disease-modifying drug—a salutogenic approach in psychiatry Deutsches Ärzteblatt international December 16, 2024
- Psychotherapeutisches Setting und Integration bei psychedelikaassistierter Therapie Nervenheilkunde April 1, 2024
- Psychedelics: The pathway to implementation in the European healthcare systems. European Neuropsychopharmacology December 3, 2025
Cites 22
- 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
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
and 17 more in the library