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Magic Mushrooms: A single dose can relieve treatment-resistant depression symptoms
Depression is a mental illness that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common form of depression and is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and/or loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable. Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a type of MDD that does not respond to traditional treatments such as antidepressants or psychotherapy. It is estimated that TRD affects up to 30% of people with MDD. "Over the years, researchers have investigated the use of psychedelic substances that alter a person's mood, thoughts, or senses...
Magic Mushrooms: A single dose can relieve treatment-resistant depression symptoms
Depression is a mental illness that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common form of depression and is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and/or loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable. Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a type of MDD that does not respond to traditional treatments such as antidepressants or psychotherapy. It is estimated that TRD affects up to 30% of people with MDD.
“Over the years, researchers have investigated the use of psychedelic substances that alter a person’s mood, thoughts, or senses as a treatment option for treatment-resistant depression.
One of these psychedelic drugs is psilocybin. Previous research shows that psilocybin has antidepressant effects in people with TRD and reduces depressive symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
What is psilocybin?
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms. Psilocybin has been used for ceremonial and healing purposes in various cultures around the world for centuries. It has a similar chemical structure to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, and works by binding to serotonin receptors in the brain.
The study
A new 22-site clinical trial has found that a single dose of psilocybin, a psychedelic chemical found in certain mushrooms, may help reduce symptoms of depression in people with TRD.
The study, published in *The Lancet Psychiatry*, provides evidence that psilocybin could be a viable treatment option for people struggling with mental health disorders. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a single dose of psilocybin or an inactive placebo. Participants who received psilocybin reported a significant decrease in depression symptoms at the 1-week and 3-month follow-ups compared to those who received the placebo.
The researchers also found that the effects of psilocybin were long-lasting. At the 3-month follow-up, 57% of participants who received the psilocybin were in remission of their depression, compared to only 28% of participants who received the placebo.
Side effects
Researchers also reported some adverse side effects from this treatment, including suicidal thoughts. However, researchers found that these thoughts were not acted upon and participants' depression symptoms were reduced.
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Sources:
- Carhart-Harris, R. L., Bolstridge, M., Rucker, J., Day, C. M. J., Erritzoe, D., Kaelen, M., … & Nutt, D. J. (2016). Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(7), 619-627.
- De Gregorio, D., Pisa, F., Schifano, F., Fusar-Poli, P., & Politi, P. (2020). Psilocybin and mental health: A systematic review of clinical trials. Neuropsychopharmacology, 45(2), 339-348.
- World Health Organization. (2020). Depression., https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression