Imperial College London
Alternate

DrChristopherJohn

Faculty of Medicine, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction

Reader in Pharmacology
 
 
 
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Contact

 

+44 (0)20 3313 8039c.john

 
 
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Location

 

6N5cCommonwealth BuildingHammersmith Campus

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Summary

 

Publications

Citation

BibTex format

@article{Muttoni:2019:10.1016/j.jad.2019.07.076,
author = {Muttoni, S and Ardissino, M and John, C},
doi = {10.1016/j.jad.2019.07.076},
journal = {Journal of Affective Disorders},
pages = {11--24},
title = {Classical psychedelics for the treatment of depression and anxiety: A systematic review},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.07.076},
volume = {258},
year = {2019}
}
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RIS format (EndNote, RefMan)

TY  - JOUR
AB  - BackgroundDepression and anxiety are prevalent psychiatric disorders that carry significant morbidity. Pharmacological and psychosocial interventions are used to manage these conditions, but their efficacy is limited. Recent interest into the use of psychedelic-assisted therapy using ayahuasca, psilocybin or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may be a promising alternative for patients unresponsive to traditional treatments. This review aims to determine the efficacy and tolerability of psychedelics in the management of resistant depression.MethodsClinical trials investigating psychedelics in patients with depression and/or anxiety were searched via MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsychINFO. Efficacy was assessed by measuring symptom improvement from baseline, and tolerability was evaluated by noting the incidence and type of adverse effects reported. Risk of bias was assessed.ResultsSeven studies, with 130 patients, were analysed in this review. Three were conducted in patients with depression, two in patients with anxiety and two in patients with both. In a supportive setting, ayahuasca, psilocybin, and LSD consistently produced immediate and significant anti-depressant and anxiolytic effects that were endured for several months. Psychedelics were well-tolerated. The most common adverse effects were transient anxiety, short-lived headaches, nausea and mild increases in heart rate and blood pressure.LimitationsAt present, the number of studies on this subject is very limited; and the number of participating patients within these is also limited as the treatment under investigations is a relatively novel concept.ConclusionsThough further evidence is required, psychedelics appear to be effective in significantly reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety and are well-tolerated.
AU  - Muttoni,S
AU  - Ardissino,M
AU  - John,C
DO  - 10.1016/j.jad.2019.07.076
EP  - 24
PY  - 2019///
SN  - 0165-0327
SP  - 11
TI  - Classical psychedelics for the treatment of depression and anxiety: A systematic review
T2  - Journal of Affective Disorders
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.07.076
UR  - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032719309127?via%3Dihub
VL  - 258
ER  -
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