The serotonergic psychedelic psilocybin has shown remarkable promise in the treatment of several psychiatric disorders. This article is a summary of the most recent findings about therapeutical and transformative potential of psilocybin, covering the scope of long-term risks and benefits associated with its use.
We also provide an overview of ongoing and completed clinical trials of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. The antidepressant effect of psilocybin is elaborated in more detail - in terms of pharmacodynamics, neuroplasticity, remodeling of neural circuits, and psychological mechanisms.