Psilocybin, touted as the breakthrough in depression treatment, hailed as the active hallucinogenic agent of magic mushrooms, experts caution that despite this, much has yet to be overcome before it can be easily adopted and considered safe.
Psilocybin, a common component of psychedelic mushrooms, is in the running to become the replacement for older depression treatments.
Researchers are taking a look to see if this psychedelic might be the latest panacea to save millions of depressed people worldwide – 2.8 million alone in the United States and unable to respond to traditional treatments.
Unlike antidepressants, psilocybin goes after the predominantly negative mental patterns of depression. In tiny clinical trials, it has proven promising in that it allows the brain to “re-wire” itself; in times when medicines fail, it may offer solace.
Renowned researcher David Nutt of Imperial College London said, “people start to realize their brain can change and they can escape from their depression.”
But even as the promise is exciting, there are many challenges to be overcome. In these small-scale studies, by focusing on populations that are really very niche, they haven’t touched the tip of the iceberg.
“It’s irresponsible to claim psilocybin is a magic bullet until larger trials are done,” cautions Dr. Bertha Madras of Harvard.
How psilocybin will be scaled for mass use and funded by insurance remains an open subject. “How will this treatment be delivered at scale when therapy could cost thousands?” asks Dr. Charles Raison of the University of Wisconsin.
Although scientists agree there is much work left to do before psilocybin becomes widely accepted as a depression treatment, it offers promise.
