Citation

Kargbo RB. ACS Med. Chem. Lett. 2020; 11(4): 399-402.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, American Chemical Society)

DOI

10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00048

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Psilocybin, an active component in "magic mushroom", may have the potential to meet the therapeutic needs for a number of indications without the addictiveness and overdose risk of other mind-altering drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, alcohol, methamphetamine, and so forth. The need for new therapies is urgent because addiction, overdose, and suicide deaths have risen throughout the United States and around the world. Anecdotal and contemporary pharmacological reports have provided some indication about the therapeutic use of psilocybin for the treatment of mental health disorders such as major depressive disorder and addiction disorders. In this Viewpoint, I summarize the current state of psilocybin therapeutic research and attempt to provide some insight into future directions on which the scientific community may wish to focus. © 2020 American Chemical Society.

Language: en

Keywords

human; depression; serotonin; priority journal; drug effect; molecular biology; Article; pharmacological parameters; ketanserin; Psilocybin; psilocybine; psilocin; psychedelic; therapeutic research