We can talk about a renaissance of psychedelics, not only among users – more and more researchers, clinicians, psychologists, and other health professionals are interested in the use of psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, and other psychoactive substances in the treatment of people with depression, anxiety disorders, addiction, etc. Will the substance found in hundreds of species of psilocybin mushrooms revolutionize the approach to mental health?

Psilocybin in the 20th and 21st Centuries

Mushrooms containing psilocybin have been consumed by various cultures in many different parts of the world for thousands of years. Psilocybin is found not only in mushrooms native to the Americas, but also in many European and Asian species.

Psilocybin, a classic psychedelic, contains unique psychoactive properties that have led to its use in religious ceremonies and other rituals, as well as a natural remedy for various ailments of the body and soul.

For more information about the past and present use of psilocybin mushrooms, see the article “Sacred and Magical – Ancient and Current Species of Hallucinogenic Mushrooms Containing Psilocybin and Its Derivatives” published in the international journal Medicina Internacia Revuo.

In the mid-20th century, psilocybin, along with most other classic psychedelics (substances that activate, among other things, serotonin 5HT-2A receptors), was classified as a narcotic substance, which halted research into its usefulness in medicine. The resurgence of clinical research on psilocybin in the 21st century has yielded promising results in the treatment of addiction, depression, anxiety disorders, the consequences of trauma (e.g., PTSD), and end-of-life mood disorders.

Professor Gabor Mate is a renowned researcher and clinician who is popularizing the use of psilocybin (and other psychedelics) in trauma therapy. We highly recommend watching the film about his work. “The Wisdom of Trauma”.

Psilocybin Research Review

The results of the psilocybin studies discussed in review from 2022 indicate a significant reduction in depression and anxiety in people receiving the psychedelic compared to a placebo. One study found no significant difference between the effects obtained with the help of routinely prescribed medications SSRIs. Studies conducted in people with advanced cancer have shown that psilocybin may also be beneficial in reducing depression and anxiety that arise following a terminal diagnosis. Therefore, some researchers believe it makes sense to use psilocybin in palliative care.

Psilocybin Therapy for Difficult-to-Treat Conditions addictions gave optimistic results. Due to low toxicity and low risk of abuse, psilocybin has significant potential for contribution to addiction medicine. Research on psilocybin addiction has focused primarily on nicotine and alcohol. Several small, open-label studies have demonstrated its superiority over traditional therapies.

Several doses of psilocybin and psychotherapy – a new approach to treating depression

Psilocybin-assisted therapy is a new approach to treatment also because of the drug administration regimen: some researchers they recommend several approximately 6-hour sessions with a psychedelic at intervals of several weeks.

According to this approach, between sessions, patients should participate in individual psychotherapy to support the integration of experiences gained during psilocybin sessions. During the sessions themselves, the psychotherapist is also present and supports the patient.

In such a scheme treatment, a significant improvement in the condition is possible mental health, reducing symptoms and achieving remission of the disorder within a few weeks. The effects can last for many months after taking psilocybin.

How does psilocybin work as part of psychotherapy?

It's now assumed that psilocybin and other psychoactive substances require more than simply taking a capsule and waiting for a beneficial effect. This often involves weeks of therapy to prepare patients for the first dose of psilocybin, and continued therapy immediately after the session.

W article In a paper describing the goals and challenges facing psychedelic therapists, researchers identify three basic phases of treatment: "preparation for the psychedelic-assisted session, the treatment session itself, and integration of psychological material that emerges during the preparation and session.".

Establishing the goals of the session between the patient and the therapist is crucial. This includes motivators, intentions, and expectations. The setting in which the session takes place is also important: it's usually a quiet room where the patient lies down, has the opportunity to listen to pre-programmed music, wear a blindfold, and talk with the therapist. Development of these supporting procedures is an essential part of overall treatment.

A psychedelic experience is one that expands consciousness, allowing one to experience emotions related to a specific aspect of reality and to perceive it in a new way. A significant experience described by researchers, therapists, and psychedelic users alike is a sense of unity with the surrounding world, nature, and people. This can have a beneficial impact on a person's future relationships and social functioning, providing a sense of meaning in life and motivation for further action.

Psilocybin Microdosing for Treatment-Resistant Depression

They appear tests clinical trials aimed at scientifically testing the effectiveness of administering small (non-psychedelic) doses of psilocybin to patients with depression who do not respond to antidepressant treatment.

Microdosing psilocybin and other psychoactive substances is a common practice among psychedelic users, but controlled scientific studies that unequivocally confirm its effectiveness are difficult to find. data based on self-observation of participants who reported their well-being to researchers via the application, as well as other types of questionnaire studies.

Majority researchers draw attention to the need to conduct clinical trials on the antidepressant effect small doses of psilocybin and their benefits in situations other than depression. We hope that the ongoing study mentioned above will provide new information on this topic.

Synthetic psilocybin in the treatment of depression – new clinical trials

In November 2023, the biopharmaceutical company revealed test results clinical trial that demonstrates the potential of psychedelics in the context of mental health. The official statement states that the research aims to "revolutionize psychiatric care by developing innovative, next-generation psychedelic treatments.".

The study used a psilocybin analog synthesized by Cybin. The study involved people experiencing major depressive disorder (MDD, major depressive disorder) and healthy volunteers.

Individuals with depression were divided into two groups and received two doses during the study (placebo/psilocybin, psilocybin/psilocybin), with the effect assessed three weeks after each dose. Subjects were allowed to continue taking their antidepressants. The study report states that a "rapid, robust, and statistically significant reduction in depressive symptoms after three weeks of a single dose compared to placebo" was demonstrated.

The strong interest in psychedelics in the scientific community worldwide and the development of organizations such as Polish Psychedelic Society can be seen as a step towards changing the approach to mental health. In Poland, the use of psilocybin is illegal, but this global trend may lead to the widespread legalization of this substance, initially likely exclusively for medical purposes.