This research paper shows how some psychedelic drugs can be used to replace conventional mental health treatment. Although there are several psychedelic drugs, this paper attempts to show the effectiveness of psilocybin in curing depression.
The Use of Psychedelic Drugs in Treating Depression
Depression is a mood disorder that affects at least 4.4% of the world’s population. Its main symptoms include guilt, fatigue, anxiety, depressed mood, and changes in weight, sleep, and appetite (“Potential of using psychedelic drugs in psychiatry”, 2020). Due to the severity of this condition, there is a wide range of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy treatment choices that have been made available. Psychotherapy comprises counselling sessions in which therapists focus on modifying the patient’s cognitive response. On the other hand, pharmacotherapy is based on the assumption that the depressive condition occurs due to insufficient monoamine neurotransmitters. This treatment option solely relies on the use of antidepressants. Since both treatment procedures have limitations, other alternatives, particularly the use of psychedelic drugs, have been considered.
Literature Review
Psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin and LSD have shown significant potential for curing conditions severe mental conditions in the past. Other drugs that are promising for treating psychiatric conditions are psilocin and bufotenin. According to research by David Nutt, a London neuropharmacologist, the effectiveness of psychedelic drugs can be understood by the use of rodent models (“Potential of using psychedelic drugs in psychiatry”, 2020). In comprehensive research, professor Nutt and his colleagues have demonstrated how brain receptors are affected by psychedelic drugs. However, this study did not explain why some psychedelic drugs like LSD have long-term harmful effects on the patient. For instance, LSD use is linked to altered brain anatomy and impaired functioning.
Significance Statement
Following the limitations of the past research, it important to have an alternative treatment that does not pose long-term threats to patients. Psilocybin is a medicine obtained from psilocybe mushrooms. This drug activates serotonin receptors, especially in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Psilocybin can also work in the other parts of the brain that control panic and arousal reactions (Heuschkel & Kuypers, 2020). The study’s focus is to establish the efficiency of psilocybin, which will show the most significant improvement in depressive symptoms and anxiety while promoting long-lasting positive effects.
Purpose of the Study
This study aims to establish whether depressive patients can significantly benefit from psilocybin without substantial side effects like in the case of other psychedelic drugs.
Hypotheses
Of the four psychedelics drugs chosen to research, psilocybin showed the most significant improvement in depressive symptoms and anxiety in adults aged 21 and above.
Independent & Dependent Variables
In this research, psilocybin drug is the independent variable that will influence the patients’ conditions, which means that the patients are the dependent variables.
References
Heuschkel, K., & Kuypers, K. (2020). Depression, mindfulness, and Psilocybin: Possible complementary effects of mindfulness meditation and Psilocybin in the treatment of depression. A review.Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 2–5.
Potential of using psychedelic drugs in psychiatry (2020). ScienceDaily.