Psilocybin for Treating Psychiatric Disorders: A Psychonaut Legend or a Promising Therapeutic Perspective?

Psilocybin, the prodrug found in over 200 species of psychedelic mushrooms, was first identified and synthesized in 1957. Clinical observations from the 1950s and 1960s suggested potential therapeutic effects for depressive symptoms, anxiety, and conversion disorder, despite scientific design limitations. After being classified as a Schedule I substance in 1970, renewed scientific interest since the 1990s has produced further evidence supporting its therapeutic use for psychiatric disorders including pathological anxiety, mood depressive disorder, and addiction.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Psychedelics extracted from plants have been used in religious, spiritual, and mystic practices for millennia. In 1957, Dr. Hofmann identified and synthesized the prodrug psilocybin, a substance present in more than 200 species of psychedelic mushrooms. Although there were limitations related to the scientific design of many studies, clinical observations performed during the 1950s and 1960s showed a potential therapeutic effect of psilocybin for patients affected by depressive symptoms, anxiety, and conversion disorder. Psilocybin was classed as a schedule I substance in 1970, but the fascination with psychedelics has remained almost unchanged over time, promoting a new scientific interest starting in the 1990s. Recent studies have provided further evidence supporting the suggestive hypothesis of the therapeutic use of psilocybin for treating various psychiatric disorders, including pathological anxiety, mood depressive disorder, and addiction.