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- Psychedelic Journal Watch
Psychedelic Journal Watch
Keeping health professionals abreast of the latest research in psychedelic medicine
I. Psilocybin for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Psilocybin significantly reduces symptoms of OCD, according to the Journal of Psychopharmacology.
In this randomized controlled trial, 15 participants with OCD received 4 weekly sessions of either high-dose psilocybin, low-dose psilocybin, or active placebo (lorazepam), followed by 4 additional weekly sessions of high-dose psilocybin. Symptoms of OCD were measured after each session and at 6 months.
After 8 weeks, 73% of respondents showed a significant reduction in OCD symptoms and 40% were in remission. There were no serious adverse events, psychotic symptoms, or changes in suicide scores.
According to the authors, “administration of up to eight doses of psilocybin in a clinical research setting appears to be safe and potentially effective for patients with OCD. Larger trials are needed to further support efficacy and refine treatment protocols.”
II. Psychedelic Therapy Vs Antidepressants
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is no more effective than traditional antidepressants (TADs) for treatment of depression, according to JAMA Psychiatry.
In this systematic review and meta-analysis involving 24 studies and 8170 participants, improvement in depression symptoms were compared between PAT and TAD. Differences between blinded studies and open-label studies were assessed.
PAT was no more effective than open-label TADs.
According to the authors, “in trials of depression, PAT was not more effective than open-label TADs. Blinding made a difference for TADs, but not for PAT, confirming that PAT trials are effectively always open label. These results argue against highly optimistic narratives surrounding PAT and highlight the importance of blinding integrity.”
III. Psychedelics and Death Anxiety
Personality Disorder increases risk for worsened mental health after psychedelic use, according to the Journal of Psychopharmacology.
Psychedelics reduce death anxiety, according to the Journal of Psychopharmacology.
In this systematic review and meta-analysis involving 18 studies, effects of psychedelic therapy on death anxiety were evaluated.
Psychedelic therapy led to a moderate-to-large reduction in death anxiety. Mystical experiences under psychedelics were associated with a significant reduction in death anxiety.
According to the authors, “psychedelic-assisted interventions may be effective for reducing death anxiety, particularly in end-of-life care. However, limitations include a small number of studies, potential publication bias, and high heterogeneity in outcome measurement.”
Ibogaine, a psychedelic drug derived from the Iboga plant, has been used in spiritual ceremonies for centuries by indigenous peoples in Central Africa.
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