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Draft:Medicinal benefits of psychedelics

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The medicinal benefits of psychedelics refer to the medicinal potential and positive health effects of psychedelic drugs like LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, ayahuasca, and DMT. A resurgence in scientific research since the 2000s has investigated the use of psychedelics in treating a variety of mental health conditions, often in combination with psychotherapy.

Mental health

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Psychedelics have shown promising results in small clinical trials for treating various mental health disorders:

Depression

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Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, has demonstrated rapid and sustained antidepressant effects in patients with treatment-resistant depression.[1] In a 2020 study, two doses of psilocybin combined with psychotherapy led to significant reductions in depressive symptoms in a majority of participants, with half of the patients achieving remission at the 4-week follow-up.[2]

Anxiety

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LSD and psilocybin have reduced anxiety and existential distress in terminally ill cancer patients.[3] A single moderate dose of psilocybin substantially reduced anxiety and depression scores in 80% of cancer patients in a 2016 study, with the effects persisting in 60-80% of participants 6 months later.[1]

Addiction

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Ayahuasca, a plant-based psychedelic brew, has shown efficacy in treating substance abuse disorders, including addictions to alcohol,[4] cocaine,[5] and nicotine.[6] Psilocybin has also demonstrated success in smoking cessation, with 80% of participants remaining abstinent at 6-month follow-up in a small pilot study.[1]

PTSD

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MDMA (ecstasy) has been designated a breakthrough therapy by the FDA for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on positive results from phase 2 clinical trials.[7] MDMA-assisted psychotherapy led to significant drops in PTSD symptoms compared to placebo, with 68% of participants no longer meeting the PTSD diagnosis criteria after 2 months.[8]

Safety and risks

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While demonstrating therapeutic potential, psychedelics can also produce intense psychedelic experiences that may be distressing for some individuals. Careful screening, preparation, and support from trained clinicians are important to minimize risks.[9] More research is needed to fully understand the efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of psychedelics as medicines.

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Most psychedelics are controlled substances and illegal in many countries. However, the FDA has granted "breakthrough therapy" status to psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression and MDMA for PTSD, potentially fast-tracking their approval as prescription medicines.[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Jacobs, Andrew (28 November 2016). "F.D.A. Agrees to New Trials for Ecstasy as Relief for PTSD Patients". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  2. ^ Davis, Alan K.; Barrett, Frederick S.; May, Darrick G. (2021-11-04). "Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial". JAMA Psychiatry. 78 (5): 481–489. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.3285. PMID 33146667.
  3. ^ Griffiths, Roland R.; Johnson, Matthew W.; Carducci, Michael A. (2016-12-01). "Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial". Journal of Psychopharmacology. 30 (12): 1181–1197. doi:10.1177/0269881116675513. PMID 27909165.
  4. ^ Thomas, Gerald; Lucas, Philippe; Capler, N. Rielle (2013-03-01). "Ayahuasca-Assisted Therapy for Addiction: Results from a Preliminary Observational Study in Canada". Current Drug Abuse Reviews. 6 (1): 30–42. doi:10.2174/15733998113099990003. PMID 23627784.
  5. ^ Sanches, Rafael Faria; de Lima Osório, Flávia; Dos Santos, Rafael G. (2016-02-01). "Antidepressant Effects of a Single Dose of Ayahuasca in Patients With Recurrent Depression: A SPECT Study". Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 36 (1): 77–81. doi:10.1097/JCP.0000000000000436. PMID 26650973.
  6. ^ Johnson, Matthew W.; Garcia-Romeu, Albert; Griffiths, Roland R. (2017-01-02). "Long-term follow-up of psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation". The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. 43 (1): 55–60. doi:10.3109/00952990.2016.1170135. PMID 27441452.
  7. ^ Philipps, Dave (28 November 2016). "F.D.A. Agrees to New Trials for Ecstasy as Relief for PTSD Patients". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  8. ^ Mitchell, Jennifer M.; Bogenschutz, Michael; Lilienstein, Alia (2021-05-10). "MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study". Nature Medicine. 27 (6): 1025–1033. doi:10.1038/s41591-021-01336-3. PMID 33972795.
  9. ^ Johnson, Matthew W.; Griffiths, Roland R.; Hendricks, Peter S.; Henningfield, Jack E. (2018-11-01). "The abuse potential of medical psilocybin according to the 8 factors of the Controlled Substances Act". Neuropharmacology. 142: 143–166. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.05.012. PMC 6007659. PMID 29753748.
  10. ^ Ritter, Malcolm (11 March 2019). "Illegal Drugs Are Now Used as Medicine". Time. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
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