Psilocybin Use in the Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review

A scoping review of four studies found that psilocybin may offer therapeutic benefits for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at low doses, without toxic or disruptive effects. Prescriptions targeted cognitive rigidity, exacerbated fear, behavioral and social difficulties, and inability to generate mental imagery. Results grouped into increased empathy, emotionality, and sociability; reduced symptoms of ASD or comorbid conditions; and changes compared with other populations. Two studies specified microdosing regimens. All included studies had acceptable quality but low evidence levels. The authors call for higher-evidence studies as restrictions on psilocybin use ease.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Objective: Due to the boom in the use of certain psychedelics in different neuropsychiatric conditions, the objective was to synthesize the available information on the use of psilocybin (a psychedelic) in the population with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; a developmental neuropsychiatric condition). Methods: Scoping review. Question framework: Population: people with ASD—Concept: Psilocybin—Context: use, prescription, outcomes and pharmacological variables. The databases Medline (Pubmed), EMBASE, SCOPUS, LILACS, Web of Science and additional resources were searched until June 2024. Controlled and free terms combined with Boolean operators were used to find documents in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Screening was performed by title and abstract, full text and extraction independently by two reviewers. The analysis was descriptive and with emphasis on drug use. Protocol was registered in OSF (DOI code: 10.17605/OSF.IO/GPBVZ). Results: Four studies were included. Indications for psilocybin prescription in ASD patients were related to cognitive rigidity, exacerbated fear, behavioral/social difficulties, and inability to generate mental imagery. Two studies mentioned specific psilocybin administration, identifying microdoses and dosing intervals. Results were grouped into increased empathy and emotionality/sociability, reduction of symptoms associated with their condition or comorbidity and changes compared with other populations. All the studies were of acceptable quality with low evidence level. Conclusions: Descriptive findings of a therapeutic signal were observed in some subjects with ASD at low doses, not associated with toxic or disruptive effects. As restrictions on psilocybin use are lifted, studies with a higher level of evidence should be conducted.