Role of Psychedelics in Treatment-Resistant Depression.

Interest in using psychedelics to treat treatment-resistant depression is growing, but evidence for classic psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and ayahuasca/DMT remains limited, though early results are promising. Atypical psychedelics such as ketamine have also been studied. Researchers caution that the field may be experiencing a hype bubble. Future work should identify the essential components of psychedelic therapies and their neurobiological mechanisms to support clinical adoption.

Study at a glance

Abstract

There is increasing interest in exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelics in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Classic psychedelics (such as psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca/DMT), and atypical psychedelics (such as ketamine) have been studied in TRD. The evidence for the classic psychedelics TRD is limited at the present time; early studies however show promising results. There is also recognition that psychedelic research may be subject to a "hype bubble" at the present time. Future studies focused on delineating necessary ingredients of psychedelic treatments and the neurobiological basis of their effects, will help pave the way for the clinical use of these compounds.