THE USE OF PSILOCYBIN MICRODOSAGE IN THE TREATMENT OF MENTAL DISORDERS Claudia Varella Moizinho, Gustavo Amaral Silva, Luciana Lopes Guimarães, Valter Garcia Santos

Abstract

Psilocybin is an alkaloid found in more than 200 species of fungi, mainly in the genus Psilocybe. Its pharmacology is not yet well defined, but its low lipophilicity may contribute to psilocybin not crossing the blood-brain barrier. Psilocin (active metabolite of psilocybin) reacts agonistically with serotonin receptors to produce a hallucinatory effect due to induced frontal hyperfrontality, which mediates its antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. Psychedelics were closely associated with the “hippie” movement and counterculture in the 1970s; and, thanks to this stigmatization and consequent prohibition, any research into the use of the substance for medicinal purposes was paralyzed. Of the psychedelics currently under study, psilocybin is the one that has been shown to have the safest profile for possible use and release. The objective of this work is to address this new possibility of treatment for mental disorders with the use of psilocybin, possible benefits of this substance, risks, its future regarding release in Brazil and its use in the pharmaceutical industry. The present work, characterized as a literature review, was carried out based on scientific articles, online magazines, research magazines, articles written on the subject, use of Google Scholar, Pubmed, Scielo databases, and websites related to the topic. To prepare the research, data from the last 10 years (2013-2023) were used, with the following keywords: psilocybin, Psilocybe cubensis, mushrooms, major depression, mental disorders. Research and articles that addressed the chosen topic were considered, with free access and full texts, published in the last ten years, with relevant results. In Brazil, the substance still seems to have a long way to go before its release and use; however, countries such as Australia and the United States are already reclassifying the use of psilocybin and modifying laws to decriminalize it. For many patients, episodes of major depression are recurrent and can be difficult to treat. Despite the use of widely used and well-known psychotropic drugs, many do not make progress in treatment, having a low quality of life. Studies and therapy with psychedelics were interrupted in the 1970s due to their prohibition, which caused research to stall on the subject. Psilocybin has great potential to present good pharmacological results in the treatment of mood disorders, in addition to being among the safest of psychedelics when used appropriately and with due clinical and psychiatric monitoring. There is still a long way to go before a final conclusion, although studies on this substance are growing and have increased significantly over the years, it still does not seem to have had enough prominence in the scientific field. More robust tests are needed, more encouragement in scientific research, updating laws and rules, as Brazilian legislation keeps the use of practically all substances that are currently being researched illegal. The role of the pharmacist is very important, whether in research, in the pharmaceutical industry, in regulation or in patient care, with this new scenario emerging from psychedelic drugs.