Psychedelics in Psychiatry

Q. Can depression be cured with “magic mushrooms”?
A. Research on psilocybin — the active compound studied in this field — shows promising results in treatment-resistant depression, but these are clinical trials conducted in a controlled environment under medical supervision. It is not an approved therapy, nor is it available to the public, and it has nothing to do with the unsupervised use of substances, which is illegal and dangerous.

Q. What is psilocybin?
A. It is a naturally occurring psychedelic substance, now studied in psychiatry as a possible treatment for certain disorders, particularly treatment-resistant depression, within authorized clinical trials.

Q. Is psychedelic therapy available in Italy?
A. It is currently the subject of clinical research: it is not a treatment available in routine practice, but it is being studied within authorized research protocols.

Q. What role does the “setting” play in the therapy?
A. The environment in which the session takes place and the support of the clinical team influence the experience and the outcome: for this reason, the therapy always takes place in a controlled, prepared setting, never on one’s own.

Q. How can I apply for the clinical trial on psilocybin?
A. To request a preliminary assessment for participation in the clinical trial on psilocybin, please contact the Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic of the “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara by sending an e-mail to ambulatoriuniversitari@gmail.com The request must include a medical report documenting the diagnosis and clinical history. The study is intended exclusively for patients with treatment-resistant Major Depressive Disorder (TRD). Meeting these requirements does not automatically result in inclusion in the study. Further inclusion and exclusion criteria, and actual eligibility to participate, will be assessed subsequently by the clinical team.