The German regulator has approved the use of psilocybin in depression treatment
The German medical regulator has allowed some patients suffering from depression that does not respond to conventional treatment methods to receive psilocybin treatment. This is an important step in the use of psychedelic substances in medicine. This was reported by 'Ghlavkom' citing Euronews.
This is the first approval in the European Union for the use of psilocybin, a compound found in mushrooms, in a way that provides patients with severe illnesses access to unregistered drugs.
In Germany, psilocybin will be prescribed only in 'justified exceptional cases,' reports the Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH).
'This is a very important step that expands our possibilities,' noted Dr. Gerhard Gruender, head of the molecular neuroimaging department at CIMH. According to him, psilocybin treatment can be justified from both medical and ethical perspectives if it is conducted in strictly controlled conditions and under the supervision of specialists.
Prospects for the use of psilocybin in depression treatment
Depression is a serious problem, and about 20-30% of patients do not respond to standard treatment methods, CIMH reports. Research shows that psilocybin may be a promising option for such patients.
The decision of the Federal Institute for Medical Products of Germany reflects the growing interest in psychedelic substances such as psilocybin and MDMA as potential treatments for various mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, addiction, and PTSD. In the Czech Republic, the medical use of psilocybin has already been legalized, and clinical trials are being conducted in the UK.
Psilocybin, a compound found in mushrooms, has been approved for use in depression treatment in Germany. This is an important step in the use of psychedelic substances in medicine, especially for patients who have a negative reaction to standard depression treatment methods. The decision of the German regulator opens new opportunities for treating heightened anxiety states and other mental disorders where standard approaches may be ineffective.