Classic Psychedelics for the Treatment of Depression: Potential Benefits and Challenges.
Sharmin Ghaznavi, Sarah G Richter
Drugs May 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-025-02172-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Psilocybin Ayahuasca Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) |
| Topics | Depression |
| Keywords | Mental health Depression treatment Clinical research Therapeutic breakthroughs Psychedelics |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key findings | Psychedelics show potential as treatments for depression, but research limitations make assessing that potential challenging. |
Abstract
There has been a recent resurgence in research on psychedelics as therapeutic agents for psychiatric conditions. This leading article outlines the studies to date of classic psychedelic treatments for treatment-resistant depression and major depression, including psilocybin, ayahuasca, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and O-methyl-bufotenine (5-Me-O DMT). We discuss the potential of expanding treatment options for depression based on the data available, as well as the difficulties and limitations of research on psychedelics that make assessing that potential more challenging.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on depression, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Synaptic Dysfunction in Depression: Potential Therapeutic Targets | 2012 | Review | |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A New Approach to Preventing Relapse | 2003 | Review | |
| Synthesizing the Evidence for Ketamine and Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: An International Expert Opinion on the Available Evidence and Implementation Adults with treatment-resistant depression | 2021 | Review | |
| Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. General population | 2019 | Integrative review | |
| Sudarshan Kriya Yogic Breathing in the Treatment of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Part II—Clinical Applications and Guidelines | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Current perspectives on psychedelic treatments in Europe. The Lancet Regional Health - Europe November 20, 2025
- Unequal representation? A cross-sectional analysis of age, sex, race, and ethnicity in clinical trials of classic psychedelics Journal of Psychopharmacology July 11, 2025
- Effects of Psilocin and Psilocybin on Human 5-HT4 Serotonin and H2 Histamine Receptors in Perfused Hearts of Transgenic Mice Pharmaceuticals July 6, 2025
Cites 34
- 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
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
- Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity Cell Reports June 1, 2018
- Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression. New England Journal of Medicine November 3, 2022
and 29 more in the library