Psilocybin therapy: A novel approach to treating depression
International Journal of Surgery Global Health June 2, 2023 Tooba Noor, Areej Shakil, Aimen Waqar Khan et al.
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased depression cases, with about 280 million people (3.8% of the global population) affected. Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) affects approximately 30% of individuals treated for severe depression and is linked to higher risks of suicidal ideation and nonsuicidal deaths. Conventional antidepressants have limitations, including delayed onset and side effects. Psilocybin therapy has shown promising results in clinical trials, with rapid reductions in depressive symptoms after one or two sessions and sustained treatment response for weeks or months. It appears well-tolerated with low addiction risk, but requires careful screening and professional supervision due to potential intense psychological distress.