Commonly referred to as “magic mushrooms” Psilocybin is a promising alternative treatment for people suffering from medication-resistant depression and anxiety.
Until the current study, which found that magic mushrooms have side effects similar to traditional antidepressants, most research on psilocybin has focused on the drug’s effectiveness. Image credit: Σ64 via WikimediaGFDL
Previous studies have suggested that psychedelic mushrooms may have positive effects on patients suffering from certain mental illnesses, but the question remains: Is psilocybin really a safe alternative to traditional medications?
A new meta-analysis by researchers at the University of Georgia suggests that might be the case.
Published by JAMA Open Network, the study found that when administered as a single therapeutic dose, psilocybin has side effects similar to traditional antidepressants. These side effects included headache, nausea, anxiety, dizziness, and high blood pressure.
But these side effects were generally well tolerated by participants and disappeared within 24 to 48 hours.
“Acute side effects are what you would expect from your traditional antidepressants, as these medications work similarly to psilocybin. They both target serotonin receptors,” said Josué Caballero, corresponding senior author of the paper and associate professor at the UGA College of Pharmacy.
“This is very encouraging because the studies we reviewed looked at only one or two doses per patient, and we found that the beneficial effects of psilocybin can last for months in the treatment of depression. »
Long-term side effects of psilocybin are still unknown
Psilocybin is designated a Schedule 1 drug by U.S. federal law because of its hallucinogenic properties. Drugs in this classification also generally have a high potential for abuse.
However, psilocybin mushrooms and other hallucinogens have been used for generations by indigenous cultures as part of religious or spiritual rituals. And as early as the 1950s and 1960s, researchers began examining its possible medical applications in treating substance use disorders and mental illnesses, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Starting in 2019, some states began decriminalizing the psychedelic drug, allowing more research into its possible medicinal value.
However, until the current study, most research on psilocybin focused on its effectiveness.
“At some point, I think psilocybin will become a treatment option, and when it does, we’ll need to know the side effects and potential long-term complications,” Caballero said. “I would urge caution for people who think this is a magic cure and then go out and take excess mushrooms. Without proper monitoring, you will not know the concentration of psilocybin in these mushrooms and could have a bad trip or other negative results.
Psilocybin use requires professional supervision for safety reasons
The meta-analysis included multiple studies, including 528 participants.
The included studies took place under the close supervision of trained therapists and healthcare providers who accompanied patients throughout the process and kept them calm throughout the treatment.
Caballero emphasized that professional supervision is essential when dealing with potentially dangerous substances.
“There is still a lot we don’t know about the potential long-term side effects and rare, more serious side effects of psilocybin use,” Caballero said.
If we can use this drug safely in a controlled environment, I think it could be revolutionary for many patients who need it. —Joshua Caballero, UGA College of Pharmacy
For example, antidepressants carry a black box warning from the FDA regarding the potential risk of increased suicidal thoughts and suicide in young adults. Most research on psilocybin was conducted in adults in their 30s and 40s, so it’s unclear whether psilocybin could have a similar effect on adults younger than 26.
“I hope this article can help experts monitor these five acute side effects that are very common and raise awareness of other possible effects,” Caballero said. “But if we can use this drug safely in a controlled environment, I think it could be revolutionary for many patients who need it.” »
Source: University of Georgia
Originally published in The European Times.
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