Psilocybin: From Psychiatric Pariah to Perceived Panacea
Adrienne Grzenda, Gregory A. Fonzo, Aaron Wolfgang, Bryan Barksdale, John H. Krystal, Linda L. Carpenter, Nina V. Kraguljac, William M. Mcdonald, Alik S. Widge, Carolyn I. Rodríguez, Charles B. Nemeroff
American Journal of Psychiatry January 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20230682 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractCurrent evidence does not support recommending psilocybin combined with psychological support (PST) as a psychiatric treatment. More rigorous clinical trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness in larger and more diverse patient groups, determine appropriate dosing, improve blinding methods, and understand how it works and for whom it works best. Comparing it directly with other proven treatments will clarify its potential future role in treating major psychiatric disorders.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Panacea medicine Pariah group Psychiatry Psychotherapist |
| Citations | 14 |
| Key finding | The evidence is currently insufficient to recommend psilocybin with PST as a psychiatric treatment. |
Abstract
The evidence is currently insufficient to recommend psilocybin with PST as a psychiatric treatment. Additional rigorously designed clinical trials are needed to definitively establish efficacy in larger and more diverse samples, address dosing considerations, improve blinding, and provide information on mechanisms of action and moderators of clinical response. Head-to-head comparisons with other evidence-based treatments will better inform the potential future role of psilocybin with PST in the treatment of major psychiatric disorders.