Clinical potential of psilocybin as a treatment for mental health conditions

Psilocybin, a classic hallucinogen produced by over 100 mushroom species, binds strongly to serotonin receptors in brain regions like the cerebral cortex and thalamus. Since 1992 legislation enabled more research, studies have explored its effects on depressed mood, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and tobacco use disorder. This article reviews the design and results of those studies and discusses psilocybin's potential clinical applications.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Psilocybin, a classic hallucinogen, is a chemical produced by more than 100 species of mushrooms worldwide. It has high affinity for several serotonin receptors, including 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT2C, located in numerous areas of the brain, including the cerebral cortex and thalamus. With legislation introduced in 1992, more work is being done to further understand the implications of psilocybin use in a number of disease states. Certain mental health disease states and symptoms have been studied, including depressed mood, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and tobacco use disorder. This article provides an in-depth review of the study design and results of psilocybin in each of these conditions and discusses the clinical potential for use.