The thesis examines the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in the treatment of depression, particularly in patients who do not respond to conventional therapies. Psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in fungi of the genus Psilocybe, is metabolized after ingestion into psilocin, which, as an agonist of 5-HT2A serotonin receptors, promotes neuroplasticity. Clinical studies have shown that one or two administrations of psilocybin, combined with psychotherapeutic support, lead to a rapid and lasting reduction in depressive symptoms. In a study where participants received 25 mg of psilocybin, patients with depression experienced a clinically significant reduction in scores on the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). In a study with 12-month follow-up of participants after psilocybin administration, the improvement was maintained without additional pharmacotherapy. Furthermore, the intensity of the mystical experience, particularly the Oceanic Boundlessness (OBN) component, was statistically associated with a greater degree of improvement in depressive symptoms. Psilocybin has low toxicity, rapid tolerance development, and low addictive potential. The most common adverse effects were headache, nausea, anxiety, dizziness, and elevated blood pressure, but these were transient. Within an appropriate therapeutic framework, psilocybin represents a safe and effective alternative to antidepressants, especially for patients with treatment-resistant depression. However, further studies are required to determine its long-term safety, dosing standardization, and regulatory framework.
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