Paper
Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy: Treating Depression and Anxiety with Mushrooms
Published Aug 5, 2020 · S. Beck
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Abstract
Depression and anxiety are debilitating mental health conditions that affect a large portion of the United States. Current pharmacological treatments for these disorders require daily administration, are associated with a number of side effects, and can be ineffective for some. Emerging evidence in novel treatment options may necessitate a shift toward how we treat these psychiatric disorders. Studies involving the psychedelic serotonin agonist, psilocybin, are currently experiencing a resurgence as an alternative for patients who are unresponsive to traditional treatments. Clinical trials using psilocybin in combination with psychotherapy have demonstrated sustained reductions in depression and/or anxiety symptoms. When used in medical settings, it has shown to be safe, with few side effects and no risk of dependence. However, this psychedelic compound faces many stigmas and these results have yet to be compared to current treatments or in larger populations. Psilocybin represents a promising field of research that warrants more robust studies in order to gain societal approval and establish a role in treating common psychiatric diagnoses. INTRODUCTION Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2017, an estimated 17.3 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. This number represented over 7% of all U.S. adults. The total economic burden of major depressive disorder is estimated to be more than $210 billion each year in the U.S. Therapy and antidepressants are some of the most commonly used treatments for depression, but approximately 20% of patients do not respond to any type of
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy shows potential in reducing depression and anxiety symptoms, but more robust studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness and gain societal approval.
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