Efficacy of Psychedelics in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder
Date of Award
Spring 2021
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)
Department
Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences
First Advisor
ToriAnne Yetter
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a debilitating mental disorder that can severely impair an individual’s ability to lead a normal life. Conventional therapies available to treat MDD include cognitive-behavioral therapy, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, selective-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Many patients with MDD do not respond to conventional antidepressant treatments and have what is termed treatment-resistant depression (TRD). This review analyzes the use of psychedelics (I), including ketamine and psilocybin, in the treatment of depressive symptoms (O) in patients with MDD (P) compared to conventional antidepressant treatments (C).
Methods: A literature search was conducted through PubMed and Biomedical Reference Collection in November 2019. Seven articles were selected based on their relevance to the research question, study design, and results.
Results: The evidence collected in each of the studies demonstrated statistically significant improvement in depressive symptoms when patients were treated with psychedelic therapy. One study found 83% of participants respond to psilocybin compared to 14% for the control group. Another study found a significant response rate for 57% of participants when treated with ayahuasca compared to 20% response rate in the control group. Many of the studies showed that their selected psychedelics of use was able to improve depressive symptoms.
Discussion: Most of the studies found that when using psychedelics, compared to a placebo, there was a significant reduction in depressive symptoms. There were noticeable deficits in some of the studies, including limited participant demographics, total duration, and study design. As a result, the safety and efficacy of psychedelic therapy as an alternative to standard antidepressant treatment cannot be confirmed and further study on this topic is warranted.
Conclusion: Psychedelics should be considered in patients with severe, treatment-resistant depression inadequately controlled with standard antidepressant therapy. The seven studies selected in this review found significant improvement in depressive symptoms after psychedelic therapy. The evidence is not strong enough to suggest a change in the standard of practice in major depressive disorder. Future research is warranted to further investigate the use of psychedelics.
Recommended Citation
Lee, Jonathan, "Efficacy of Psychedelics in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder" (2021). Capstone Showcase. 89.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2021/pa/89
Efficacy of Psychedelics in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder
Abstract
Introduction: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a debilitating mental disorder that can severely impair an individual’s ability to lead a normal life. Conventional therapies available to treat MDD include cognitive-behavioral therapy, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, selective-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Many patients with MDD do not respond to conventional antidepressant treatments and have what is termed treatment-resistant depression (TRD). This review analyzes the use of psychedelics (I), including ketamine and psilocybin, in the treatment of depressive symptoms (O) in patients with MDD (P) compared to conventional antidepressant treatments (C).
Methods: A literature search was conducted through PubMed and Biomedical Reference Collection in November 2019. Seven articles were selected based on their relevance to the research question, study design, and results.
Results: The evidence collected in each of the studies demonstrated statistically significant improvement in depressive symptoms when patients were treated with psychedelic therapy. One study found 83% of participants respond to psilocybin compared to 14% for the control group. Another study found a significant response rate for 57% of participants when treated with ayahuasca compared to 20% response rate in the control group. Many of the studies showed that their selected psychedelics of use was able to improve depressive symptoms.
Discussion: Most of the studies found that when using psychedelics, compared to a placebo, there was a significant reduction in depressive symptoms. There were noticeable deficits in some of the studies, including limited participant demographics, total duration, and study design. As a result, the safety and efficacy of psychedelic therapy as an alternative to standard antidepressant treatment cannot be confirmed and further study on this topic is warranted.
Conclusion: Psychedelics should be considered in patients with severe, treatment-resistant depression inadequately controlled with standard antidepressant therapy. The seven studies selected in this review found significant improvement in depressive symptoms after psychedelic therapy. The evidence is not strong enough to suggest a change in the standard of practice in major depressive disorder. Future research is warranted to further investigate the use of psychedelics.
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