Psychoactive substances in psychotherapy - A vision for the future? – A systematic review on Psilocybin

A literature review on psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for mental illnesses examined peer-reviewed studies from 2017 to 2022. Nine studies covered tobacco addiction, anxiety and depression related to life-threatening cancer, and treatment-resistant depression. Rapid clinical improvement of various symptoms was observed, with the strongest evidence for treating tobacco addiction and anxiety and depression tied to life-threatening illnesses. No serious adverse events were reported. However, current studies have limitations, including small sample sizes, difficulties with blinding, and a non-representative treatment population. The results are not representative but provide indications of effective treatment and serve as a starting point for further studies.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This work is a literature review on the use of psilocybin in psychotherapeutic treatment of mental illnesses. The review answers the question of what opportunities and risks are associated with the use of the psychoactive substance psilocybin. Peer-reviewed studies between 2017 and 2022 were included. Nine studies were found regarding the following indications: tobacco addiction, anxiety and depressive states related to life-threatening cancer, as well as treatment-resistant depression. A rapid clinical improvement of various symptoms was observed. The greatest evidence for the use of psilocybin was found in treating tobacco addiction and anxiety and depression related to life-threatening illnesses. No serious adverse events were reported in the studies. However, current studies have limitations, such as small sample sizes, difficulties with blinding, and a treatment population considered non-representative. The results are not representative but provide indications of effective treatment and are a starting point for further studies.