[메디컬투데이TV] Psilocybin, a hallucinogenic mushroom ingredient, is as effective in treating depression as existing antidepressants.

[메디컬투데이=이승재 기자] Research has shown that psilocybin, an ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms, is just as effective in treating depression as existing antidepressants.

The results of a study comparing the effectiveness of psilocybin in treating depression with the antidepressant ‘escitalopram’ were published in the Lancet e-Clinical Medicine journal.

Studies estimate that 5% of adults worldwide suffer from depression. In addition to psychiatric counseling and psychotherapy, depression treatment includes the use of antidepressants.

The most commonly prescribed antidepressants are the ‘selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor’ class, also known as ‘SSRI’. However, like other drugs, SSRIs have several side effects. Common side effects include anxiety, headache, nausea, dry mouth, sleep problems, and loss of libido. In addition, it is known that approximately 30% of depression patients have symptoms that do not improve even after using SSRIs.

Researchers at Imperial College London conducted a clinical trial on 59 adults diagnosed with moderate to severe depression to investigate the effectiveness of ‘psilocybin’ as an antidepressant that can replace SSRIs.

Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic ingredient found in some mushrooms, and is regulated as a narcotic in many countries around the world, but recently it has been actively studied for therapeutic purposes in science. mind

Among the study participants, 30 received 25 mg of psilocybin twice, and the other 29 received ‘escitalopram’, one of the SSRIs, for 6 weeks. 20 hours of psychological counseling were also provided, and the follow-up and observation period was 6 months.

As a result of the study, depression symptoms were significantly improved in both patients who received psilocybin and those who received ecitalopram. In addition, patients who received psilocybin experienced better psychological connection with others and improved social functioning.

Based on these results, the researchers concluded that psilocybin is as effective in treating depression as SSRIs.

Medical Today Video Editing Team ([email protected])

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