Three Naturally-Occurring Psychedelics and Their Significance in the Treatment of Mental Health Disorders
Nataliya S. Vorobyeva, Alena A. Kozlova
Frontiers in Pharmacology June 28, 2022 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.927984 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Anxiety Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Mental health Hallucinogen Population |
| Citations | 16 |
| Key findings | Classic psychedelics show promise as treatments for mental health disorders, but the article is a review of existing research rather than presenting a new finding. |
Abstract
Classical psychedelics represent a family of psychoactive substances with structural similarities to serotonin and affinity for serotonin receptors. A growing number of studies have found that psychedelics can be effective in treating various psychiatric conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Mental health disorders are extremely prevalent in the general population constituting a major problem for the public health. There are a wide variety of interventions for mental health disorders, including pharmacological therapies and psychotherapies, however, treatment resistance still remains a particular challenge in this field, and relapse rates are also quite high. In recent years, psychedelics have become one of the promising new tools for the treatment of mental health disorders. In this review, we will discuss the three classic serotonergic naturally occurring psychedelics, psilocybin, ibogaine, and N, N-dimethyltryptamine, focusing on their pharmacological properties and clinical potential. The purpose of this article is to provide a focused review of the most relevant research into the therapeutic potential of these substances and their possible integration as alternative or adjuvant options to existing pharmacological and psychological therapies.
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 12
- The evolution of N, N-Dimethyltryptamine: from metabolic pathways to brain connectivity. Psychopharmacology April 11, 2025
- Therapeutic Potential of Psilocybin for Treating Psychological Distress among Survivors of Adverse Childhood Experiences: Evidence on Acceptability and Potential Efficacy of Psilocybin Use Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 10, 2023
- N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in rodent brain: Concentrations, distribution, and recent pharmacological data. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry March 20, 2025
- Psychedelics as a potential treatment for borderline personality disorder: A narrative review. Psychiatry Research July 1, 2026
- Serotonergic modulation of excitatory synapse development and plasticity Molecules and Cells March 10, 2026
and 7 more in the library
Cites 165
- 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 with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016
- Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Archives of General Psychiatry September 7, 2010
- Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 23, 2012
and 160 more in the library