PLANT-DERIVED PSYCHEDELICS IN THE TREATMENT OF MDD, PTSD, AND GAD: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Antidepressants are the treatment of choice for major depressive disorder (MDD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). However, their side effects and the refractoriness of some patients have led to growing interest in the use of psychedelics as an alternative therapy. Still, there is no consensus on their benefits and potential risks. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the efficacy and safety of the psychedelics psilocybin, ayahuasca, and mescaline for the treatment of MDD, GAD, and PTSD resistant to conventional therapies. The guiding question was: "Are plant-derived psychedelics more effective and less likely to cause adverse reactions in the treatment of resistant MDD, PTSD, and GAD compared to conventional treatments?" Based on the PICO strategy, the descriptors were defined from the DeCS (Health Sciences Descriptors) database. The search was conducted in the PubMed and Cochrane databases, following the PRISMA guidelines and systematized by the Rayyan platform. Partial results indicate that psilocybin shows promise in reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms, with lasting positive effects. Ayahuasca had the greatest impact on depressive symptoms, especially when assessed using the MADRS scale. All substances analyzed had mild side effects. Studies with psychological monitoring during the intervention achieved better outcomes. This study is consistent with items 5.9 (Clinical and psychological profile, diagnosis, and management of chronic noncommunicable diseases) and 5.14 (Health technology), considering psychedelics as emerging technologies in the therapeutic context.