Psilocybin therapy

Psilocybin-containing mushrooms

Psilocybin therapy is the use of psilocybin (the psychoactive ingredient in psilocybin mushrooms) in treating a range of mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, addictions,[1] obsessive compulsive disorder, and psychosis.[2] It is one of several forms of psychedelic therapy under study. Psilocybin was popularized as a psychedelic recreational drug in the 1970s and was classified as a Schedule I drug by the DEA. Research on psilocybin as a medical treatment was restricted until the 1990s because of the sociocultural fear of dependence on this drug. As of 2022, psilocybin is the most commonly researched psychedelic due to its safety and low potential for abuse and dependence.[2] Clinical trials are being conducted at universities and there is evidence confirming the use of psilocybin in the treatment of depression, PTSD and end of life anxiety.[3]

  1. ^ Van Court, R.C.; Wiseman, M.S.; Meyer, K.W.; Ballhorn, D.J.; Amses, K.R.; Slot, J.C.; Dentinger, B.T.M.; Garibay-Orijel, R.; Uehling, J.K. (April 2022). "Diversity, biology, and history of psilocybin-containing fungi: Suggestions for research and technological development". Fungal Biology. 126 (4): 308–319. Bibcode:2022FunB..126..308V. doi:10.1016/j.funbio.2022.01.003. PMID 35314062.
  2. ^ a b Geiger, Haden A.; Wurst, Madeline G.; Daniels, R. Nathan (2018-10-17). "DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Psilocybin". ACS Chemical Neuroscience. 9 (10): 2438–2447. doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00186. ISSN 1948-7193. PMID 29956917. S2CID 49591766.
  3. ^ Marks, Mason; Cohen, Glen (October 4, 2021). "Psychedelic therapy: A roadmap for wider acceptance and utilization". Nature Medicine. 27 (10): 1669–1671. doi:10.1038/s41591-021-01530-3. PMID 34608331. S2CID 238355863.