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Peer-reviewed articleOpen access

The effect of psilocybin on empathy and prosocial behavior: a proposed mechanism for enduring antidepressant effects.

Bhatt KV, Weissman CRiD

Npj mental health researchFeb 20, 2024License: open accessUnited States22 citationsDOI: 10.1038/s44184-023-00053-8

Abstract

Psilocybin is a serotonergic psychedelic shown to have enduring antidepressant effects. Currently, the mechanism for its enduring effects is not well understood. Empathy and prosocial behavior may be important for understanding the therapeutic benefit of psilocybin. In this article we review the effect of psilocybin on empathy and prosocial behavior. Moreover, we propose that psilocybin may induce a positive feedback loop involving empathy and prosocial behavior which helps explain the observed, enduring antidepressant effects.

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Psilocybin

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