In one experiment, 25 mg of psilocybin put patients in a dream state, making psychological therapy more likely to be successful.
One study indicates that a drug based on a hallucinogenic mushroom compound can improve symptoms of severe depression for up to 12 weeks.
A 25 mg tablet of psilocybin puts patients in a dream state, making psychological therapy more likely to succeed.
But the short-term side effects can be frightening, and clinical support must always be available, the researchers note.
Experts say larger studies with much longer follow-up are still needed.
It is estimated that around 100 million people worldwide suffer from severe clinical depression that does not respond to any available treatment: 30% attempt suicide.
Scientists have been studying the effects of psilocybin on mental health disorders for years.
Recent studies have been promising but too short to evaluate lasting effects.
In this latest study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, doses of 1 mg, 10 mg, and 25 mg were tested on a total of 233 people from 10 countries in Europe and North America, with 25 mg yielding the results. best.
‘Daydreaming’
Most had been severely depressed for more than a year and were in their 40s, say researchers from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London (England) and South London and the Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
After a 25 mg dose of Psilocybin Comp360 together with psychotherapy:
- One in three is no longer diagnosed as depressed within three weeks
- One in five had significant improvement within 12 weeks
Study author and psychiatrist James Rucker says the drug was thought to have “a direct action on the brain, putting it in a more flexible state and providing a window of opportunity for therapy.”
The patients, lying on a bed in a quiet room, experienced a psychedelic “journey” – which one described as “a daydream” – for six to eight hours.
“It can be very good, but it can also be bad,” Rucker told BBC News.
“Hard memories from the past can emerge, for example, at the same time you feel a reconnection with yourself and your feelings.”
A therapist was on hand to provide support.
safety concern
The next day and a week later, patients received psychological support to talk about their experience.
“Patients go from ‘What’s wrong with me?’ to ‘What happened to me?’ “said psychotherapist Nadav Liam Modlin.
Some patients in all groups experienced side effects such as headache, nausea, extreme fatigue, and suicidal thoughts.
This wasn’t uncommon, the researchers say, but other experts say it could be a safety concern.
“Long-term problem”
The head of psychiatry at the University of Edinburgh, Professor Andrew McIntosh, says the study has provided “the strongest evidence to date to suggest that larger, broader and longer randomized trials of psychedelics are warranted.”
“Psilocybin can [um dia] provide a potential alternative to prescribed antidepressants for decades, “he added.
But other experts point out that the effects started to wear off after 12 weeks.
“Depression can be a long-lasting problem and much longer follow-up periods of 12 weeks should be used,” says Ravi Das of University College London (England).
A larger study, which is expected to begin shortly, will look at how many doses are needed to prevent depression from returning.
It could take three years before the drug is close to licensing, the researchers predict.
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Source: Terra
Benjamin Smith is a fashion journalist and author at Gossipify, known for his coverage of the latest fashion trends and industry insights. He writes about clothing, shoes, accessories, and runway shows, providing in-depth analysis and unique perspectives. He’s respected for his ability to spot emerging designers and trends, and for providing practical fashion advice to readers.
