Treating depression with psilocybin

Psilocybin has shown promise in the treatment of depression, and research suggests that it may be helpful for individuals who have not responded to traditional antidepressant medications.

Psilocybin may be useful in the treatment of depression as it is believed to:

  1. Increase serotonin levels: Psilocybin has been shown to increase serotonin levels in the brain, which is thought to improve mood. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, and sleep, among other things. Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression, and increasing serotonin levels may help alleviate symptoms.

  2. Change brain activity: Psilocybin has been shown to change the activity of certain areas of the brain that are involved in mood regulation. Specifically, it reduces activity in the default mode network, which is responsible for self-reflection and rumination. Overactivity in this network has been linked to depression, and reducing activity in this network may help alleviate symptoms.

  3. Provide a new perspective: Psilocybin has been reported to provide individuals with a new perspective on their lives and their depression. This can be helpful in breaking negative thought patterns and providing a sense of clarity and purpose.

  4. Increase openness: Psilocybin has been shown to increase openness, which is a personality trait associated with creativity, imagination, and curiosity. Individuals with depression often have decreased openness, and increasing openness may help alleviate symptoms.

  5. Provide a sense of connection: Psilocybin has been reported to provide individuals with a sense of connection to themselves, others, and the world around them. This can be helpful in alleviating feelings of loneliness and isolation, which are common in depression.

In April 2021, the results of a trial conducted by researchers at Imperial College London showed that the antidepressant effects of psilocybin and escitalopram (a commonly prescribed SSRI to treat depression) were not significantly different.

In August 2024, a systematic review and meta-analysis, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), looked at 19 placebo-controlled studies of oral monotherapy with either psychedelics (psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, MDMA and ayahuasca) or escitalopram (an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class). In the meta-analysis, authors looked for changes in depressive symptoms from baseline. The study concluded: “Of the available psychedelic treatments for depressive symptoms, patients treated with high dose psilocybin showed better responses than those treated with placebo in the antidepressant trials.”

It is important to note that psilocybin should only be used under the guidance of a trained healthcare professional in a safe and controlled environment.

More research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of psilocybin for the treatment of depression.