Psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression: How do we advance the field?

Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2019 Nov 22:4867419888575. doi: 10.1177/0004867419888575. [Epub ahead of print]

Meikle SE¹, Liknaitzky P², Rossell SL³, Ross M⁴, Strauss N⁵, Thomas N^2,3, Murray G^2,3, Williams M⁶, Castle DJ^7,8.

Author information

1Melbourne School of Psychological Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.2School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia.3Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia.4Department of Psychosocial Cancer Care and Palliative Medicine. St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, VIC, Australia.5Honorary Research Fellow with Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Millswyn Psychiatric Clinic, South Yarra, VIC, Australia.6Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Action, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia.7Department of Psychiatry, St Vincent’s Hospital, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia.8Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

Abstract

In the quest for new treatment options for depression, attention is being paid to the potential role of psychedelic drugs. Psilocybin is of particular interest given its mechanism of action, its benefits in early trials and its relatively low side effects burden. This viewpoint outlines a number of key issues that remain to be elucidated about its potential use in the clinical environment, including clarification of the profile of people most likely to benefit and those who might experience adverse effects, longer-term outcomes and the role of psychotherapeutic input alongside the drug itself. There are also opportunities to understand better, the neurobiology underpinning its effects.

KEYWORDS:

Psilocybin; depression; psychedelicsPMID: 31752499 DOI: 10.1177/0004867419888575