Psilocybin-assisted therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A review

The authors of this recent update write: “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) remains a debilitating psychiatric condition with often unsatisfactory responses to current therapies. Recent research has rekindled interest in the use of classic psychedelics such as psilocybin as a novel treatment modality. This review summarizes the most current data from case reports, clinical trials, and neurobiological models to evaluate the mechanisms, efficacy, safety, and feasibility of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for OCD. Preliminary evidence suggests that psilocybin use in a controlled and supportive setting can produce rapid and sustained reduction in symptom burden. The putative mechanism of action is theorized to occur through the modulation of serotonin transmission, ridged thought patterns, neuroplasticity, and dysfunctional neural circuitry. Research is currently limited, and further large-scale, randomized control trials are necessary to establish the safety and efficacy of psilocybin for OCD and optimize protocols for use in conjunction with psychotherapeutic strategies.”

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