Therapeutic potential of serotoninergic psychedelic substances in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Introduction Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder associated with suffering and disability. The serotoninergic system is implicated in the neurobiological processes of OCD and serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) are the first-line treatment. However, clinical improvement a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2022-06-01
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| Series: | European Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822016595/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1797616425457680384 |
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| author | J. Rodrigues O. Nombora L. Ribeiro |
| author_facet | J. Rodrigues O. Nombora L. Ribeiro |
| author_sort | J. Rodrigues |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder associated with suffering and disability. The serotoninergic system is implicated in the neurobiological processes of OCD and serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) are the first-line treatment. However, clinical improvement after starting SRIs can take long and patients may not fully recover. Meanwhile, recent data suggests that activation of 5-HT receptors may exert a therapeutic action in obsessional symptoms. Some psychedelics are strong 5-HT2 receptor agonists and there is a growing research interest as they can be a promising therapeutic approach to OCD.
Objectives
We aim to provide an overview on the current evidence on the therapeutic potential of serotoninergic psychoactive substances in the treatment of OCD.
Methods
Non-systematic review. Literature search in the PubMed database using the terms psychedelics and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Results
Although research is currently limited to a few small studies, the ones conducted so far showed clinically meaningful acute reduction of OCD symptoms after treatment with serotoninergic psychoactive drugs, as well as possible longer-lasting benefits, particularly with psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Furthermore, substance-assisted psychotherapy with psychedelics has been showing promising results, being suitable for OCD treatment. It is important to add that, to date, studies have indicated relatively good tolerability to these drugs.
Conclusions
These promising early findings highlight the role of psychedelics in OCD treatment and the need for further research into efficacy, therapeutic mechanisms and safety, in order to determine whether these drugs may be worthy options for OCD treatment in the future.
Disclosure
No significant relationships.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:40:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3f799263e3494bdeafa20c25407128ce |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0924-9338 1778-3585 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:40:59Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-3f799263e3494bdeafa20c25407128ce2023-11-17T05:08:33ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852022-06-0165S647S64710.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.1659Therapeutic potential of serotoninergic psychedelic substances in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive DisorderJ. Rodrigues0O. Nombora1L. Ribeiro2Vila Nova de Gaia Hospital Center, Psychiatry And Mental Health Service, Vila Nova de Gaia, PortugalVila Nova de Gaia Hospital Center, Psychiatry And Mental Health Service, Vila Nova de Gaia, PortugalVila Nova de Gaia Hospital Center, Psychiatry And Mental Health Service, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal Introduction Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder associated with suffering and disability. The serotoninergic system is implicated in the neurobiological processes of OCD and serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) are the first-line treatment. However, clinical improvement after starting SRIs can take long and patients may not fully recover. Meanwhile, recent data suggests that activation of 5-HT receptors may exert a therapeutic action in obsessional symptoms. Some psychedelics are strong 5-HT2 receptor agonists and there is a growing research interest as they can be a promising therapeutic approach to OCD. Objectives We aim to provide an overview on the current evidence on the therapeutic potential of serotoninergic psychoactive substances in the treatment of OCD. Methods Non-systematic review. Literature search in the PubMed database using the terms psychedelics and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Results Although research is currently limited to a few small studies, the ones conducted so far showed clinically meaningful acute reduction of OCD symptoms after treatment with serotoninergic psychoactive drugs, as well as possible longer-lasting benefits, particularly with psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Furthermore, substance-assisted psychotherapy with psychedelics has been showing promising results, being suitable for OCD treatment. It is important to add that, to date, studies have indicated relatively good tolerability to these drugs. Conclusions These promising early findings highlight the role of psychedelics in OCD treatment and the need for further research into efficacy, therapeutic mechanisms and safety, in order to determine whether these drugs may be worthy options for OCD treatment in the future. Disclosure No significant relationships. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822016595/type/journal_articleobsessive compulsive disorderserotoninergic psychedelics5-HT2 receptor agonism |
| spellingShingle | J. Rodrigues O. Nombora L. Ribeiro Therapeutic potential of serotoninergic psychedelic substances in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder European Psychiatry obsessive compulsive disorder serotoninergic psychedelics 5-HT2 receptor agonism |
| title | Therapeutic potential of serotoninergic psychedelic substances in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder |
| title_full | Therapeutic potential of serotoninergic psychedelic substances in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder |
| title_fullStr | Therapeutic potential of serotoninergic psychedelic substances in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder |
| title_full_unstemmed | Therapeutic potential of serotoninergic psychedelic substances in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder |
| title_short | Therapeutic potential of serotoninergic psychedelic substances in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder |
| title_sort | therapeutic potential of serotoninergic psychedelic substances in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder |
| topic | obsessive compulsive disorder serotoninergic psychedelics 5-HT2 receptor agonism |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822016595/type/journal_article |
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