Opinion: The second age of psychedelic therapies for mental health
Psychedelics like psilocybin and ketamine are being touted as the next generation of treatment for depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. There’s no question that a next generation is needed. But it’s not like flipping a switch: These therapies involve a novel administration paradigm, acceptance by regulatory bodies, and public appreciation of their unique medicinal value.
The most common first-line treatments for depression, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac, were introduced nearly a half century ago. While these medicines have had a major impact on treating depression, SSRIs do not work for around 30% of people with major depressive disorder. And even when they are effective, it can take several weeks for them to begin working, and they must be taken continuously for years. Side effects and adverse events like dry mouth, nausea, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction cause people to stop taking them, take them infrequently, and/or switch from one to another in search of improved effectiveness or tolerability.
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