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Naturally Derived Psilocybin for Therapeutic Use: A Six-Criterion Framework for Evidence, Safety, and Benefit-Risk Considerations in Policy and Clinical Development
Univ Groningen, Dept Clin & Dev Neuropsychol, NL-9712 CP Groningen, Netherlands..
Univ Groningen, Dept Clin & Dev Neuropsychol, NL-9712 CP Groningen, Netherlands..
Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology, Chemistry, Department of Chemistry for Life Sciences.
Univ Groningen, Groningen Res Inst Pharm, Dept Chem & Pharmaceut Biol, NL-9712 CP Groningen, Netherlands..
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2026 (English)In: Biomolecules, E-ISSN 2218-273X, Vol. 16, no 7, article id 983Article, review/survey (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Naturally derived psilocybin is widely used, yet its therapeutic potential, pharmacological distinctiveness and regulatory feasibility remain understudied. This review evaluates the potential of naturally derived psilocybin using a six-criterion framework to evaluate: (1) therapeutic benefit, (2) safety and tolerability, (3) pharmacological uniqueness vs. synthetic psilocybin, (4) identity and composition control, (5) dose precision and stability, and (6) ecological sustainability. This paper answers three key questions about naturally derived psilocybin: Does it show therapeutic potential? Does it differ from synthetic psilocybin? Can it meet medicinal standards? Findings suggest perceived therapeutic benefits from naturally derived psilocybin across mental health domains, though evidence of causal efficacy is mixed. Safety profiles are favorable but context-dependent, with risks in vulnerable populations. Some preliminary preclinical evidence indicates possible entourage effects, but human validation is lacking. Dose precision varies, with purified psilocybin being most reliable, followed by standardized extracts, alcoholic, aqueous, and whole biomass preparations. Scalable cultivation is feasible but faces sustainability challenges. Key gaps include a lack of controlled trials, longitudinal safety evaluations, and standardization. We provide a phased research roadmap, which proposes short-term studies to establish safety, mid-term mechanistic and standardization efforts, and long-term integration into therapeutic, cultural, and ecological systems. This review highlights the promise of naturally derived psilocybin but underscores the need for rigorous evidence to support regulatory acceptance and clinical use.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
MDPI, 2026. Vol. 16, no 7, article id 983
Keywords [en]
naturally derived psilocybin, therapeutic potential, safety and tolerability regulatory frameworks, pharmacological uniqueness
National Category
Pharmacology and Toxicology Psychiatry Neurosciences Geriatrics
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-595645DOI: 10.3390/biom16070983ISI: 001832412700001PubMedID: 42509777Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105045734709OAI: oai:DiVA.org:uu-595645DiVA, id: diva2:2094143
Available from: 2026-08-21 Created: 2026-08-21 Last updated: 2026-08-21Bibliographically approved

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