Psilocybin is a substance found in hallucinogenic mushrooms. This could reduce symptoms and allow remission of severe forms of depression.
- In addition to psilocybin, psychotherapy should be conducted to maximize its effects against depression.
- No side effects were reported in the study of the effects of psilocybin.
Treatments against depression would be effective in 70% of cases, according to the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm). A study published in the journal New England Journal of Medicine could, in the long term, offer new care to people with depressive disorders.
During their clinical trial, the researchers replaced the antidepressants usually administered to these patients with psilocybin, a substance present in hallucinogenic mushrooms. The results are convincing: two doses could be as effective as the most commonly prescribed antidepressant, but on condition that patients follow psychotherapy in parallel. “With a psychedelic, it is more of a release of thought and feeling which, when guided by psychotherapy, produces positive results.” In other words, the psychedelic alone is not enough. The participants in the clinical trial who received only psilocybin felt that they had better understood why they were depressed, probably also thanks to psychotherapy.
Two doses of psilocybin in six weeks…
The clinical trial lasted six weeks and involved two groups of people with moderate to severe major depressive disorder. The first was made up of 30 individuals. They were given 25 milligrams of psilocybin twice three weeks apart. These doses are strong enough to induce three to four hour “trips” and effects experienced as mystical. Between these intakes, the participants took placebos. In the second group, the 29 people also took two doses of psilocybin three weeks apart, but at very low weights producing almost no effect. On the other hand, the rest of the time, they took antidepressants. For all 59 participants, a psychological therapy session was scheduled the day after taking psilocybin.
…always followed by a psychotherapy session
At the end of the trial, the participants completed a questionnaire. According to the responses, the severity of depressive symptoms had decreased in both groups. But the difference is especially obvious for remission, that is to say the total disappearance of all symptoms. Indeed, 57% of participants who received a high dose of psilocybin were in remission from their depression at the end of six weeks compared to only 28% in the other group. Moreover, out of all the participants, no side effects were reported. “I think it’s fair to say that the results signal hope that we are looking at a promising alternative treatment for depression.”, says Robin Carhart-Harris, head of the psychiatric research center at Imperial College London.
Nevertheless, further clinical trials and work will be needed before considering the commercialization and use of psilocybin as a drug for depression. An important issue because one in five people has suffered or will suffer from depression in their lifetime, according to theInserm.
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