The Emergence of Psilocybin in Psychiatry and Neuroscience
Hossein Omidian, Alborz Omidian
Pharmaceuticals April 9, 2025 DOI: 10.3390/ph18040555 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Clinical trial Hallucinogen |
| Citations | 11 |
| Key findings | Emerging evidence supports psilocybin's efficacy for major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, alcohol use disorders, and cancer-related distress, though significant barriers such as methodological constraints and limited population diversity remain. |
Abstract
Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound, has garnered renewed scientific interest for its potential in treating psychiatric and neurological disorders. This review systematically examines the latest research on psilocybin’s pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy, and safety profile. Emerging evidence supports its efficacy in conditions such as major depressive disorder (MDD), treatment-resistant depression (TRD), anxiety, alcohol use disorders (AUD), and cancer-related distress. Despite promising outcomes, significant barriers remain, including methodological constraints, regulatory hurdles, and limited population diversity in clinical trials. Advances in biosynthetic production and optimized psychotherapeutic integration are necessary to ensure scalability and accessibility. Future research should focus on long-term safety, dosing precision, and neurobiological mechanisms to refine its therapeutic applications. This review provides a critical foundation for advancing evidence-based clinical integration of psilocybin.
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 8
- Inaugural year of regulated psilocybin services in Oregon: safety, motivations, and utilization Frontiers in Psychiatry May 13, 2026
- Biochemical Insights into Diverse Psilocybe Mushrooms and Their Metabolites as Sources of Neuroactive Agents: A Review. Current microbiology July 15, 2025
- Psychedelics as a potential treatment for borderline personality disorder: A narrative review. Psychiatry Research July 1, 2026
- Psilocybin as a Transdiagnostic Treatment for Eating Disorders and Comorbid Psychopathology: Implications for Clinical Nosology and Research Directions International Journal of Eating Disorders July 2, 2026
- Hallucinogen-Assisted Psychotherapy for Trauma Disorders: A Bionian Lens. Psychodynamic psychiatry June 1, 2026
and 3 more in the library
Cites 105
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: six-month follow-up. Psychopharmacology November 8, 2017
- Quality of Acute Psychedelic Experience Predicts Therapeutic Efficacy of Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression Frontiers in Pharmacology January 17, 2018
- Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy vs Placebo in the Treatment of Adult Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder JAMA Psychiatry August 24, 2022
and 100 more in the library