Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in adults with depression – A literature review

Background

Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP) has gained increasing attention in recent years as a potential treatment for depression, particularly in cases resistant to conventional therapies. This article aims to assess the efficacy of PAP in adults with various forms of depression by conducting a comprehensive review of the available literature.

Method

A systematic search was conducted across several major databases (PubMed and Ebsco Host (incl. MEDLINE Ultimate, eBook Clinical Collection, DynaMed, APA PsycARTICLES, APA PsycINFO, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection), focusing on studies that investigated the effects of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting.

Results

The overall systematic literature search identified 139 items, of which seven were selected for detailed analysis. The studies employed different dosing regimens and varied in their methodologies of psychological support before, during, and after psilocybin administration. Most studies found significant improvements in depression symptoms after administration of Psilocybin and sustained antidepressant effects up to twelve months post-treatment. Response and remission rates were consistently high across studies.

Conclusions

PAP combined with structured psychological support shows sustained reductions in depressive symptoms for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder. Higher doses generally yield stronger benefits. While PAP holds significant potential as a holistic treatment, methodological limitations, such as heterogeneity in study designs, inconsistent levels of psychological support and difficulties in blinding due to the nature of the drug's effect, highlight the need for more standardized protocols in future studies to ensure reliable outcomes. More research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects.