Deligiannidis of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. Postpartum depression is a severe mood disorder affecting up to one in five mothers globally, causing extreme sadness, anxiety, changes in sleep and eating habits and difficulty bonding with a baby.
Clinical Trial Results and Patient Outcomes
All 10 women enrolled in the trial experienced at least a 50 per cent reduction in depression symptoms two hours after their final dose, according to the researchers. Participants also reported improvements in maternal functioning.
Did you know? While standard antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a common type of antidepressant, often take four to six weeks to start working, the only medication specifically approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for postpartum depression is zuranolone.
How the Inhaled Treatment Was Administered
The trial tested a synthetic formulation called GH001, which uses mebufotenin (also known as 5-MeO-DMT) to act on serotonin receptors in the brain. Doses were adjusted according to each woman’s response. Participants first received 6mg. The psychedelic effects lasted for an average of around 20 to 25 minutes after each dose.
Safety Profile and Study Limitations
No serious adverse events were reported, in the trial, which was funded by GH Research, the company developing the drug. The most common side effect was mild to moderate headache, experienced by five of the 10 women.
However, the trial was open-label, meaning both participants and researchers knew the active drug was being given.
Broader Mental Health Challenges During Life Transitions
Mental health needs shift across different life stages, a reality highlighted by a separate LifeStance Health survey of 1,000 women experiencing perimenopause or menopause. That survey revealed that one in three women (33%) report being unaware that perimenopause can cause mental health-related symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mebufotenin (5-MeO-DMT)?
Serotonin is a chemical messenger involved in functions including mood, sleep and digestion.
The most common side effect was mild to moderate headache, experienced by five of the 10 women.
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