A fast-acting psychedelic drug could help treat depression and anxiety. This, from a Johns Hopkins University study that surveyed 362 adults.

Researchers found that the use of a synthetic psychedelic, 5-MeO-DMT, is associated with improvements in depression and anxiety when taken in a controlled setting. Approximately 80% of those surveyed reported these improvements.

The team says past research shows psychedelics can effectively treat depression and anxiety when administered alongside psychotherapy. However, this psychedelic could prove particularly beneficial, due to its fast action and short duration.

While these findings are promising, researchers say there is a need for further exploration into the short and long-term effects of this drug.

Source:

Davis, A. K., So, S., Lancelotta, R. et al. (2019). 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00952990.2018.1545024?journalCode=iada20

 

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Taylor Bennett

Taylor Bennett

Taylor Bennett is the Content Development Manager at Thriveworks. She devotes herself to distributing important information about mental health and wellbeing, writing mental health news and self-improvement tips daily. Taylor received her bachelor’s degree in multimedia journalism, with minors in professional writing and leadership from Virginia Tech. She is a co-author of Leaving Depression Behind: An Interactive, Choose Your Path Book and has published content on Thought Catalog, Odyssey, and The Traveling Parent.

Check out “Leaving Depression Behind: An Interactive, Choose Your Path Book” written by AJ Centore and Taylor Bennett."

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