Psilocybin for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: A magic to treat a harmony of illusions?
Rakesh Khanna
Journal of Indira Gandhi Institute Of Medical Sciences 2024 DOI: 10.4103/jigims.jigims_60_23 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy PTSD |
| Keywords | Diagnostic uncertainties Posttraumatic stress disorder Mental health treatment |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Psilocybin-assisted therapy for PTSD may be limited by the complexity of the disorder and the need to avoid oversimplifying treatment, with psilocybin serving as a catalyst within a nondirective psychotherapeutic context. |
Abstract
Abstract A review of the literature on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) suggests it to be a complex disorder with many contributing factors. The concept of PTSD has continued to evolve over time. A diagnosis of PTSD may be hard to get right. Studies suggest a wide variation in its presentation and diagnostic stability. It is tempting to explore the possibility of using chemicals that could help shorten the process of reaching the unconscious mind that could lead to more rapid remission. This article aims to review limitations in seeing the effectiveness of psilocybin (magic mushroom)-assisted therapy for PTSD. Psilocybin is supposed to be just a catalyst for treatment, while psychotherapy is considered the mainstay of treatment. The therapy itself is to be nondirective, geared toward providing a sense of safety for the patient in a vulnerable state and allowing the person to direct the support while being in a chemically compromised state. We may repeatedly be falling into the trap of trying to find simple solutions to problems that are by their very nature quite complex. All interactions take place in a certain context, and their effect will depend on how they are taken up by the whole person/world system.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin for PTSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novel psychopharmacological therapies for psychiatric disorders: psilocybin and MDMA. | 2016 | Review | |
| Registered clinical studies investigating psychedelic drugs for psychiatric disorders. Registered clinical trials on clinicaltrials.gov evaluating psychedelics for... | 2021 | Review | n = 70 |
| The Psychedelic Future of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment | 2024 | Comprehensive review | |
| Diverse therapeutic developments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) indicate common mechanisms of memory modulation. | 2022 | Review | |
| Is it now time to prepare psychiatry for a psychedelic future? | 2024 | Review |