THERAPEUTIC ANALYSIS OF THE USE OF PSILOCYBIN IN THE TREATMENT OF RESISTANT DEPRESSION: A REVIEW OF RECENT CLINICAL TRIALS

Abstract

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) represents one of the greatest clinical challenges in contemporary psychiatry, significantly affecting patients' functionality and quality of life. Given the limitations of conventional therapies, psilocybin, a psychedelic substance derived from fungi of the Psilocybe genus, has gained prominence as a promising therapeutic alternative. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy, safety, and clinical applicability of psilocybin in the treatment of TRD, through a narrative review of the scientific literature published between 2015 and 2024. The PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were consulted, resulting in the selection of seven clinical studies and systematic reviews. Evidence indicates that, when administered in a controlled environment and with psychotherapeutic support, psilocybin promotes rapid antidepressant responses, with a low incidence of serious adverse effects and a sustained positive impact. Neuroimaging studies also indicate the modulation of brain circuits associated with emotional regulation, reinforcing its psychoplastogenic action. It is concluded that psilocybin is an innovative, safe and effective therapeutic strategy, especially for refractory cases, although larger and more standardized clinical trials are needed for its definitive validation.