A new review suggests psychedelic treatments may help people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), while cannabis shows little lasting benefit. The study, published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research and led by Dr Michael Van Ameringen of McMaster University, examined alternative treatments for OCD, a condition where up to 60% of patients gain limited relief from standard therapies.
After analysing published studies, conference data and preliminary trial results, researchers found stronger evidence supporting psychedelics such as psilocybin than cannabinoids like THC or CBD. Psilocybin appears to affect the brain’s default mode network, which is linked to rumination and overactivity in OCD, whereas cannabinoids mainly act on receptors tied to anxiety and compulsions without producing long-term improvement.
Preliminary clinical trials, including one led by Yale psychologist Dr Terrence Ching, found that a single dose of psilocybin reduced OCD symptoms compared with placebo and helped patients gain insight into their need for control. Researchers cautioned that while findings are promising, psilocybin remains difficult to study due to legal restrictions, and further controlled trials are needed.
