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Psychedelics Outshine Cannabis for OCD Relief
13 Dec
Summary
- Psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, show stronger evidence for OCD treatment efficacy.
- Cannabis, including THC and CBD, offers less lasting relief for OCD symptoms.
- Brain network interactions and therapeutic 'journey' framing may explain differing results.
Emerging research indicates that psychedelic substances, particularly psilocybin, demonstrate greater potential as treatments for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) compared to cannabis. A review of available studies found stronger evidence supporting the efficacy of psilocybin in alleviating OCD symptoms.
These findings suggest that the unique way psilocybin interacts with specific brain networks, like the default mode network, may offer more profound therapeutic benefits than cannabinoids. This difference is also attributed to the supportive, journey-oriented approach often used in psychedelic therapy studies, which is less common in cannabis research.
While challenges such as the legal status of psilocybin and the phenomenon of 'functional unblinding' persist in research, experts are optimistic about developing rigorous, ethical trials. The goal is to establish psychedelics as a serious, evidence-based treatment option for individuals with OCD.
