Exploring Psychedelics Pharmacology: A Scoping Review Charting the Course of Psilocybin Pharmacokinetics.
Ramiro Manzano-Nunez, Diego A Gomez, Catalina Toledo-Mendoza, Marta Perez-Otero, Iris L Matilla, Claudia Prats, Elena Perez-Lopez, Helmuth Pardo, Patricia Díaz-Pellicer, Rafael De La Torre-Fornell, Ana M Aldea
Clinical Neuropharmacology DOI: 10.1097/wnf.0000000000000617 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Scoping review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 112 |
| Population | Healthy volunteers |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Psychedelics Clinical research Pharmacokinetics Drug metabolism |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key findings | Oral psilocybin pharmacokinetics in healthy adults show a strong positive dose–Cmax relationship, with peak psilocin concentrations reached around two hours and an elimination half-life of about two hours, and no serious adverse events reported. |
Abstract
This scoping review aimed to synthesize the existing data about psilocybin pharmacokinetics to learn what has been described regarding body disposition and safety when psilocybin was used in controlled research settings. We performed a scoping literature review following the framework proposed by the JBI manual for evidence synthesis. Controlled clinical trials reporting pharmacokinetic data of psilocybin were considered appropriate for inclusion. We extracted the data on psilocybin pharmacokinetics and summarized it from the available literature on this topic. We also performed an exploratory-descriptive analysis using study level data to examine the relationship between dose of psilocybin and maximum serum concentrations (Cmax). We initially identified 850 articles, of which 5 were included. These trials included 112 healthy volunteers who received psilocybin in a controlled clinical setting. The peak concentration of psilocin in plasma (Cmax) ranged from 8.2 ng/mL to 37.2 ng/mL (median = 17, IQR = 11.9 to 23.5). The maximal concentrations (Cmax) of psilocin were reached (Tmax) around 2 hours, ranging from 1.7 hours to 2.2 hours (median = 2, IQR = 1.9 to 2.1) after psilocybin oral administration. Elimination half-life was between 1.2 hours and 3.3 hours (median = 2.0, IQR = 1.6 to 2.8). A strong positive relationship between dose and Cmax ( R2 = 0.95) was found. No serious adverse events were observed. We did not find studies reporting pharmacokinetic data from patients with depression or cancer patients transitioning to palliative care. In summary, this review unveils oral psilocybin pharmacokinetics in healthy adults, revealing gaps in its application to target populations like those with depression or in palliative care.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin, 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 | |
| The pharmacology of psilocybin | 2002 | Review | |
| Serotonin research: contributions to understanding psychoses | 2008 | Review | |
| Psychedelics, Meditation, and Self-Consciousness | 2018 | Review | |
| The abuse potential of medical psilocybin according to the 8 factors of the Controlled Substances Act | 2018 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cites 28
- 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
- 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
and 23 more in the library