Overview and Specificity of Psilocybin Use in the Treatment of Mental Disorders: A Scientometric Analysis

A bibliometric analysis of 853 publications from 1963 to 2023 shows that research on psilocybin for mental disorders has grown rapidly, with a 52% increase between 2016 and 2023. Publications come from five continents but are concentrated in high-development countries like the United States and United Kingdom. Depression appears most frequently in keyword analyses. Meta-analyses indicate psilocybin is effective for depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, though the authors call for more randomized clinical trials to confirm safe and effective use.

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Abstract

Background: Psilocybin is a natural alkaloid with therapeutic potential in the treatment of different mental disorders. Bibliometric information on its use is still scattered in the literature. Objective: To investigate the temporal and bibliometric patterns of publications and the specificity of psilocybin in the treatment of mental disorders. Method: Performed a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer software. Documents from the period 1963 to 2023 were retrieved from the Scopus database. The search string comprised terms related to psilocybin and mental disorders. An exponential regression was performed to investigate the number of publications over time. The specificity was evaluated based on a manual analysis of the clinical trials’ findings carried out with individuals diagnosed with mental disorders. Results: We identified 853 eligible publications. An exponential regression analysis revealed an increase in the number of publications over time, with significant growth between 2016 and 2023 (52%). Publications cover countries on five continents, but are predominantly from nations with a high Human Development Index, such as the United States and the United Kingdom. Depression was the most prominent term in keyword analysis. Meta-analyses have indicated the efficacy of psilocybin in the treatment of different mental disorders (depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders). Conclusion: The global academic panorama shows the growing recognition of psilocybin as a promising alternative in psychiatric treatment, highlighting the need for randomized clinical trials to ensure its safe and effective use.