Psilocybin Use in the Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review.

This review looked at research on psilocybin (a psychedelic substance) for autism. Only four small studies were found. Psilocybin was used to help with rigid thinking, fears, social difficulties, and problems with mental imagery. Some positive effects were reported, including better empathy and social skills, and reduced autism symptoms. The doses used were very small and didn't cause harmful side effects. However, the research quality was low, so more and better studies are needed.

This scoping review examined available research on psilocybin use in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Searching multiple databases through June 2024, researchers identified only four studies meeting inclusion criteria. Psilocybin was prescribed for cognitive rigidity, exacerbated fear, behavioral/social difficulties, and inability to generate mental imagery. Two studies reported specific dosing, including microdoses with scheduled intervals.

Reported outcomes included increased empathy and sociability, reduction of ASD-related symptoms and comorbidities, and differential responses compared to other populations. All studies were of acceptable quality but represented low evidence levels. Findings suggested potential therapeutic benefits at low doses without toxic effects, though the authors emphasize need for higher-quality research as regulatory restrictions evolve.

While preliminary findings suggest potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin for ASD symptoms, the extremely limited evidence base precludes clinical recommendations. The apparent safety profile at microdoses warrants cautious investigation through rigorous controlled trials before considering clinical applications.

Only four studies identified with low evidence levels. No specific sample sizes reported. All studies of acceptable quality but insufficient for strong conclusions. Limited geographic and methodological diversity in available research.

Due to the boom in the use of certain psychedelics in different neuropsychiatric conditions, the objective was to synthesize the available information on the use of psilocybin (a psychedelic) in the population with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; a developmental neuropsychiatric condition). Scoping review. Question framework: Population: people with ASD-Concept: Psilocybin-Context: use, prescription, outcomes and pharmacological variables. The databases Medline (Pubmed), EMBASE, SCOPUS, LILACS, Web of Science and additional resources were searched until June 2024.

Controlled and free terms combined with Boolean operators were used to find documents in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Screening was performed by title and abstract, full text and extraction independently by two reviewers. The analysis was descriptive and with emphasis on drug use. Protocol was registered in OSF (DOI code: 10.17605/OSF.IO/GPBVZ).

Four studies were included. Indications for psilocybin prescription in ASD patients were related to cognitive rigidity, exacerbated fear, behavioral/social difficulties, and inability to generate mental imagery. Two studies mentioned specific psilocybin administration, identifying microdoses and dosing intervals. Results were grouped into increased empathy and emotionality/sociability, reduction of symptoms associated with their condition or comorbidity and changes compared with other populations.

All the studies were of acceptable quality with low evidence level. Descriptive findings of a therapeutic signal were observed in some subjects with ASD at low doses, not associated with toxic or disruptive effects. As restrictions on psilocybin use are lifted, studies with a higher level of evidence should be conducted.