Here's Why You Want To Know About Mushrooms and Depression

Dr. Tracey Marks
5 Feb 202008:13
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRDr. Tracey Marks discusses the potential of Psilocybin, found in magic mushrooms, as a fast-tracked treatment for depression. Psilocybin, known for its psychedelic effects, has shown promise in reducing neuroticism and authoritarianism after just two doses, with effects lasting months. Historically controversial, it's now under clinical trials by companies like Compass Pathways and Usona Institute, with FDA's breakthrough therapy designation, aiming to offer new hope for those suffering from treatment-resistant depression.

Takeaways
  • 💊 Dr. Tracey Marks discusses Psilocybin, a compound in magic mushrooms, as a potential fast-tracked treatment for depression.
  • 🏥 Treatment-resistant depression is defined as depression that does not improve after trying two different antidepressants.
  • 🤔 Current options for treatment-resistant depression include antipsychotics like Abilify or Rexulti, and new treatments like Spravato, which contains Ketamine.
  • 🧠 Psilocybin works by activating the 5HT-2A receptor in the brain, which increases serotonin levels.
  • 🌌 It has psychedelic effects, known to broaden thinking, relax individuals, and amplify emotions.
  • 📊 Studies show that after just two doses of Psilocybin, individuals exhibited less neurotic and authoritarian traits, with effects lasting up to 12 months post-treatment.
  • 🔍 Early studies on Psilocybin date back to the 1950s, leading to the short-lived market availability of Indocybin in the 1960s before being banned due to societal concerns.
  • 🏛 In 1970, Psilocybin and LSD were classified as Schedule One drugs, indicating high potential for abuse with no accepted medical use.
  • 🔬 Renewed interest in the 1990s showed therapeutic benefits for anxiety, depression, and alcohol dependence, with microdosing being a key method of administration.
  • 🏁 The FDA granted breakthrough therapy designation to Psilocybin, accelerating its development and approval process for medical use.
  • ⏱️ The timeline from breakthrough designation to approval can be significantly shorter than the average 10+ years for drug development, as seen with Spravato's approval in 2019.
  • 📊 Both Usona and Compass Pathways are currently in phase two of their clinical trials for Psilocybin, with different focuses on treatment-resistant and regular depression.
  • ⚠️ The effects of Psilocybin on bipolar disorder are still unknown and require further study to understand potential impacts on mania or psychosis.
  • 🌟 Dr. Marks expresses optimism about the potential of Psilocybin, suggesting that side effects may be minimal due to the nature of microdosing.
Q & A

  • What is the focus of Dr. Tracey Marks' video?

    -The focus of Dr. Tracey Marks' video is on Psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms, and its potential as a fast-tracked treatment for depression.

  • What is treatment-resistant depression?

    -Treatment-resistant depression occurs when a person's depression does not resolve with two trials of antidepressant medication.

  • What are some current options for treating treatment-resistant depression?

    -Current options for treating treatment-resistant depression include adding another medication like an antipsychotic, using anticonvulsant therapy, or employing Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.

  • What is Spravato and how is it related to treating depression?

    -Spravato is a newer medication for treatment-resistant depression, which is actually Ketamine, and it has been granted breakthrough therapy designation by the FDA.

  • How does Psilocybin work in the brain?

    -Psilocybin works in the brain by activating the 5HT-2A receptor on neurons to increase serotonin levels.

  • What are the effects of Psilocybin on political views and mental flexibility?

    -Studies have shown that after two doses of Psilocybin, individuals tend to be less neurotic and less authoritarian in their political views, indicating increased mental flexibility.

  • How long do the attitude changes induced by Psilocybin last?

    -The attitude changes induced by Psilocybin can last from seven to 12 months after only one to two doses.

  • What was the historical context of Psilocybin's use in the 1950s?

    -In the 1950s, studies on Psilocybin began, leading to the approval of the drug Indocybin by Sandoz Pharmaceuticals in 1960, which was later banned due to societal pushback against hallucinogenic drugs.

  • What is the FDA's Breakthrough Therapy Designation and why was it granted to Psilocybin?

    -The FDA's Breakthrough Therapy Designation is granted to expedite the development and approval of drugs that demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies for serious or life-threatening conditions. Psilocybin received this designation due to its promising early results in treating depression.

  • How long did it take for Spravato to go from breakthrough designation to FDA approval?

    -It took Spravato about two and a half years to go from breakthrough designation in August 2016 to FDA approval in March 2019.

  • What is the current status of clinical trials for Psilocybin as of the video's date?

    -As of the video's date, both Usona and Compass Pathways are in phase two of their clinical trials for Psilocybin, and they are still recruiting volunteers.

  • What is the potential impact of Psilocybin on bipolar disorder?

    -Psilocybin is being studied for the treatment of unipolar depression, and its effects on bipolar disorder are not yet known. It may help with the depression associated with bipolar disorder, but further trials are needed to understand its impact on mania or psychosis.

  • What are the potential side effects and safety concerns regarding Psilocybin?

    -While the side effects and safety issues of Psilocybin are not yet fully understood, Dr. Marks suggests they are likely to be minimal due to the microdosing approach, which involves limited exposure.

Outlines
00:00
🍄 Introduction to Psilocybin for Depression Treatment

Dr. Tracey Marks introduces the topic of Psilocybin, commonly known as magic mushrooms, as a potential fast-tracked treatment for depression. She explains the concept of treatment-resistant depression and the current options available, such as adding medications like antipsychotics or using newer treatments like Spravato, which contains Ketamine. Dr. Marks also discusses alternative therapies like anticonvulsants and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. She highlights the limited effectiveness of these treatments, with only 40 to 60% of patients achieving full recovery and many experiencing side effects. Psilocybin is presented as a new option, a compound with psychedelic properties that can increase serotonin levels in the brain, potentially offering a different approach to treating mental health issues. The video also touches on the effects of Psilocybin on personality traits, such as reducing neuroticism and authoritarianism, and its long-lasting impact on mental flexibility.

05:02
🚀 FDA Breakthrough Designation and Clinical Trials for Psilocybin

The second paragraph delves into the promising early results of Psilocybin, which led to the FDA granting it a breakthrough therapy designation, expediting the drug development and approval process. The comparison is made with S-Ketamine, which was granted the same status and approved for treatment-resistant depression in a relatively short timeframe. The timeline for Psilocybin's approval is uncertain but is expected to be faster than the average 10 years for drug approval due to its potential to treat severe illnesses. The FDA has granted this designation to two companies, Compass Pathways and Usona Institute, both of which are currently in phase two of their clinical trials. The trials are recruiting volunteers and are conducted in different regions. The video also addresses the potential use of Psilocybin for bipolar disorder, cautioning that its effects on this condition are not yet known. The summary concludes with a hopeful outlook on the minimal side effects expected due to the microdosing approach and an anticipation for the results of the ongoing trials.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Psilocybin
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain species of mushrooms, commonly referred to as 'magic mushrooms.' In the video, it is discussed as a potential treatment for depression, highlighting its fast-tracked status due to promising therapeutic benefits. The script mentions how Psilocybin works by activating the 5HT-2A receptor to increase serotonin levels in the brain, which is relevant to its exploration as a mental health treatment.
💡Treatment-resistant depression
Treatment-resistant depression refers to a condition where an individual's depressive symptoms do not improve significantly after trying at least two different antidepressant medications. The video explains that this type of depression is challenging to address, and alternative treatments like Psilocybin are being explored. The term is used to set the context for why new treatments, such as Psilocybin, are necessary.
💡5HT-2A receptor
The 5HT-2A receptor is a subtype of serotonin receptors in the brain that plays a role in regulating mood, among other functions. In the context of the video, Psilocybin's activation of this receptor is highlighted as a mechanism for its potential antidepressant effects, emphasizing the scientific basis for its therapeutic use.
💡Microdosing
Microdosing is the practice of ingesting small, sub-perceptual amounts of psychedelic substances, such as Psilocybin, to purportedly enhance creativity, focus, or overall well-being without inducing a full psychedelic experience. The video mentions that many studies have used one to two doses of Psilocybin in microdosing form, suggesting its potential for long-term mental flexibility and mood improvement.
💡Neuroticism
Neuroticism is a personality trait characterized by a tendency to experience negative emotions and a greater susceptibility to psychological distress, such as anxiety and depression. The video script indicates that studies have shown a reduction in neuroticism after Psilocybin treatment, which is significant in the context of its potential as an antidepressant.
💡Authoritarian political views
Authoritarian political views are ideologies that favor strong, centralized government control as opposed to libertarianism, which prefers minimal government intervention. The video script notes that Psilocybin has been observed to reduce authoritarian attitudes, suggesting a broader impact on mental flexibility and openness to new ideas.
💡Indocybin
Indocybin is a drug that was derived from Psilocybin and was approved by the FDA in the 1960s. The video script provides a historical context, mentioning that Indocybin was available for a brief period before being banned due to concerns about abuse potential, illustrating the regulatory challenges faced by psychedelic substances.
💡Drug scheduling
Drug scheduling is a system used by regulatory bodies to classify drugs based on their potential for abuse, medical use, and safety. The video explains that Psilocybin was placed in Schedule One, indicating a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, which has limited its use to investigational purposes until recent times.
💡Breakthrough therapy designation
The FDA's breakthrough therapy designation is a designation given to a drug that treats a serious condition and has preliminary clinical evidence indicating it may offer a substantial improvement over existing therapies. The video mentions that Psilocybin has received this designation, signaling the potential for faster development and approval processes.
💡Compass Pathways and Usona Institute
Compass Pathways and Usona Institute are two companies mentioned in the video that are conducting clinical trials on Psilocybin for the treatment of depression. The script highlights their involvement in phase two trials, emphasizing the active pursuit of Psilocybin's therapeutic potential in the medical field.
💡Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings, including emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). The video script notes that while Psilocybin is being studied for unipolar depression, its effects on bipolar disorder are not yet known, indicating a need for further research to understand its potential impact on this different condition.
Highlights

Introduction to Dr. Tracey Marks, a psychiatrist who creates mental health education videos.

Discussion on Psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms, as a treatment for depression.

Explanation of treatment-resistant depression and current treatment options.

Details on medications like Abilify, Rexulti, and Spravato (Ketamine) for treatment-resistant depression.

Statistics on the effectiveness of current depression medications.

Introduction of Psilocybin and its psychedelic properties.

Mechanism of Psilocybin: activating the 5HT-2A receptor to increase serotonin.

Historical context of Psilocybin studies dating back to the 1950s.

Impact of Psilocybin on reducing neuroticism and authoritarian political views.

Long-lasting attitude changes from one to two doses of Psilocybin.

Brief history of the approval and banning of Psilocybin in the 1960s.

Explanation of the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 and drug scheduling.

Renewed interest in Psilocybin research in the 1990s and its therapeutic benefits.

FDA's breakthrough therapy designation for Psilocybin.

Details on the ongoing clinical trials by Compass Pathways and Usona Institute.

Caution about Psilocybin's effects on bipolar disorder.

Speculation on the minimal side effects of Psilocybin due to microdosing.

Encouragement to participate in clinical trials for Psilocybin.

Transcripts

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PsilocybinDepressionMental HealthPsychiatristMagic MushroomsTreatment ResistanceMicrodosingFDA ApprovalClinical TrialsNeuroticismAuthoritarianism