Can psilocybin help with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

There is some research available exploring the potential use of psilocybin in treating OCD. Psilocybin has been used safely for patients with OCD and was associated with acute reductions in core OCD symptoms in several subjects in a controlled clinical environment (Moreno et al., 2006).

In a recent study of 9 adults with symptomatic OCD (Ehrmann et al., 2021), the most remarkable finding was the acute decrease in OCD symptoms of variable degree observed in every study participant during one or more of their test sessions following psilocybin ingestion. Improvement ranged from a modest reduction (23%) to a complete (100%) but temporary resolution of symptoms.

In a recent preliminary report of a case patient with refractory OCD treated with psilocybin and followed prospectively for a year, improvements of OCD symptoms was observed and accompanied by broader changes in emotion, social and work function, and quality of life (Kelmendi et al., 2022).

However, psychedelic OCD research is still in its infancy, and much more needs to be verified before it can be considered a broad alternative to current, first-line OCD treatments. Currently, psilocybin is still being investigated on its safety and effectiveness in treating OCD, and it is therefore recommended that psychedelic drug treatment options should be carried out in a safe environment and administered by a licensed mental health professional with experience in this form of therapy.

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