Psilocibina no Manejo da Depressão e Ansiedade: Uma Revisão Integrativa de Evidências Científicas

Psilocybin, a psychedelic alkaloid that activates serotonin receptors, is being investigated for treating depression and anxiety. An integrative review of 23 articles from preclinical and clinical studies found that behavioral effects depend on dosage and involve increased neurotrophic factors and 5-HT2A receptor activation. Clinical studies report significant improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms, sometimes after a single dose, with few severe adverse effects. However, the authors note that many studies have limitations requiring further investigation before psilocybin can be established as a viable treatment option.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Psilocybin is an alkaloid known for its psychedelic effects by activating serotonin receptors and there is growing interest in using psilocybin to treat mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, which are not fully understood and difficult to treat with conventional medications. This research aims to review the evidence from preclinical and clinical studies on the use of psilocybin for mood disorders. We conducted an integrative review using databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, LILACS, and SciELO with the search terms psilocybin, depression, and anxiety, resulting in an analysis of 23 articles. Preclinical studies indicate that the behavioral effects of psilocybin depend on the dosage and lead to significant biochemical changes, including increased neurotrophic factors and activation of the 5-HT2A receptor. Clinical studies show significant improvements in symptoms of depression and anxiety, even after a single dose, with a low incidence of severe adverse effects. However, many studies have limitations that need further investigation to establish psilocybin as a viable option for patients with mental disorders.