Potential Therapeutic Effects of Psilocybin

Abstract

Psilocybin and other 5-hydroxytryptamine agonist classic psychedelics have been used for centuries as sacraments within indigenous cultures. In the mid-twentieth century they were a focus within psychiatry as both probes of brain function and experimental therapeutics. By the late 1960s and early 1970s these scientific inquires fell out of favor because classic psychedelics were being used outside of medical research and in association with the emerging counter culture. However, in the twenty-first century, scientific interest in classic psychedelics has returned and grown as a result of several promising studies, validating earlier research. Here, we review therapeutic research on psilocybin, the classic psychedelic that has been the focus of most recent research. For mood and anxiety disorders, three controlled trials have suggested that psilocybin may decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety in the context of cancer-related psychiatric distress for at least 6 months following a single acute administration. A small, open-label study in patients with treatment-resistant depression showed reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms 3 months after two acute doses. For addiction, small, open-label pilot studies have shown promising success rates for both tobacco and alcohol addiction. Safety data from these various trials, which involve careful screening, preparation, monitoring, and follow-up, indicate the absence of severe drug-related adverse reactions. Modest drug-related adverse effects at the time of medication administration are readily managed. US federal funding has yet to support therapeutic psilocybin research, although such support will be important to thoroughly investigate efficacy, safety, and therapeutic mechanisms.

Norpsilocin: freebase and fumarate salt

“…Psychoactive tryptamines, particularly psilocybin and psilocin, have recently garnered a great deal of interest because of their potential to treat disorders including anxiety, addiction, and depression (Johnson & Griffiths, 2017;Carhart-Harris & Goodwin, 2017). Of note, psilocybin was recently granted the 'breakthrough therapy' designation by the US Food and Drug Administration (Feltman, 2019).…”

Bis(4-hydroxy-N-isopropyl-N-methyltryptammonium) fumarate: a new crystalline form of miprocin

“…A wide variety of naturally occurring organisms, including over 200 species of 'magic' mushrooms, contain psychoactive tryptamine compounds (Stamets, 1996). Of these compounds, psilocybin has received the most scientific and commercial attention because of recent studies demonstrating its potential for treating mood disorders including addiction, anxiety, depression and PTSD (Johnson & Griffiths, 2017;Carhart-Harris & Goodwin, 2017).…”

Production Options for Psilocybin: Making of the Magic

“…Renewed interest in 1 as a prodrug of therapeutic agent 2 was accompanied by studies on its relative physiological and psychological safety in controlled and well‐defined settings . Studies showed promising outcomes in the therapy of cancer‐related psychiatric distress and anxiety, treatment‐resistant depression, and substance addiction . However, a commonly acknowledged drawback of these studies is the low number of participants due to administrative barriers .…”

“…[25] Studies showedp romising outcomesi nt he therapy of cancer-related psychiatric distress and anxiety, treatment-resistant depression, and substancea ddiction. [26] However,acommonlya cknowledged drawback of these studies is the low number of participants due to administrative barriers. [27] With the aim for the FDA to register 1 as am edication for psychological distress, phase III studies are currently being planned.…”