treatment-resistant depression – Page 8

A taxonomy of regulatory and policy matters relevant to psychedelic-assisted therapy in Australia

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Australia has recently approved psilocybin and MDMA for treating severe depression and PTSD when used with professional therapy support. This paper creates a comprehensive guide outlining all the regulatory, professional, and safety considerations needed to safely deliver these treatments in clinical settings. The researchers interviewed 11 experts and reviewed existing research to identify 102 specific matters that need clear guidelines, such as what qualifications therapists need, where treatments can be delivered, how patients should be screened, and what safety measures are essential.

Selective outcome reporting and non-reporting in trials of psychedelic drugs for mental disorders

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Researchers examined whether studies of three promising psychedelic drugs (esketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA) for treating mental health conditions were reporting their results fairly and completely. They found that nearly 29% of completed trials had no published results, and some studies changed which outcomes they reported on between registration and publication. This selective reporting could make these drugs appear more effective than they actually are.

The development of psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression: an update

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Psilocybin, a compound found in certain mushrooms, is being studied as a potential treatment for severe depression that doesn’t respond to standard medications. In clinical trials, patients receiving psilocybin alongside psychological support showed significant improvement in depressive symptoms within days to weeks, with benefits lasting for months. Unlike daily antidepressant pills, psilocybin therapy involves one or more carefully supervised dosing sessions in a hospital setting with therapeutic support before and after. Larger studies are underway to confirm its effectiveness and safety before it could potentially become an approved treatment.

Analysis of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy in Medicine: A Narrative Review

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This review examines how psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, may help treat difficult-to-treat conditions like smoking addiction, alcohol dependence, and depression. Clinical trials show psilocybin-assisted therapy achieves better smoking cessation rates (80%) than standard medications and reduces depression symptoms as effectively as common antidepressants. The treatment works differently than daily medications, requiring only a few supervised doses weeks apart, potentially offering a new option for millions of people.

Neural mechanisms underlying psilocybin’s therapeutic potential – the need for preclinical in vivo electrophysiology

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Psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, shows promise for treating depression and other mental health conditions. This review examines how psilocybin works in the brain, particularly by affecting brain regions involved in self-reflection and emotion regulation. The authors argue that new brain recording techniques are needed to fully understand how psilocybin produces its beneficial effects, which could help improve treatments for people with severe depression.

Reconsidering evidence for psychedelic-induced psychosis: An overview of reviews, a systematic review, and meta-analysis of human studies

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This research review examined whether people with schizophrenia can safely participate in psychedelic-assisted therapy treatments. Researchers analyzed 131 studies and found that psychedelics rarely cause new psychosis in the general population (0.002%), though the risk is slightly higher in people with existing schizophrenia (3.8%). While the immediate risk appears manageable, about 13% of people who develop psychosis from psychedelics go on to develop schizophrenia, suggesting caution is still needed.

Attitudes toward psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy among potential mental health service users and the general population in Australia

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This Australian study surveyed over 500 people about their views on psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA for treating mental health conditions. Most people supported medical legalization of these substances, though many had safety concerns. Those with mental illness, those with prior psychedelic experience, and those with better knowledge of psychedelics were most supportive of their therapeutic use.

Safety, feasibility, tolerability, and clinical effects of repeated psilocybin dosing combined with non-directive support in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: protocol for a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial with blinded ratings

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This clinical trial is investigating whether psilocybin (a psychoactive compound found in certain mushrooms) combined with supportive counseling can help people with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder. Researchers will give participants two doses of psilocybin while providing non-directive psychological support to help them process their experiences. The study aims to determine whether this approach is safe, tolerable, and effective at reducing OCD symptoms, and to understand the psychological mechanisms that might explain how it works.

Psilocybin: Systematic review of its use in the treatment of depression

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Researchers reviewed scientific studies on psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, as a treatment for depression. The studies showed that psilocybin significantly reduced depressive symptoms faster than standard treatments, with minimal side effects. This suggests psilocybin could be a promising new option for people with depression who haven’t benefited from traditional medications.

Psychedelics: From Cave Art to 21st-Century Medicine for Addiction

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This comprehensive review examines how psychedelic substances, from magic mushrooms to LSD, are being studied as treatments for addiction. After decades of restriction, researchers are rediscovering what indigenous cultures have known for thousands of years: these substances can help people overcome alcohol, drug, and tobacco addiction. The research shows promising results, particularly when combined with therapy, with abstinence rates significantly higher than traditional treatments.

Disease: treatment-resistant depression