Key finding — Psilocybin was not significantly superior to escitalopram on the primary depression measure, but performed better on several secondary measures, suggesting at least comparable effects with a very different treatment schedule.
Study at a glance
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Institution | Imperial College London |
| Design | Randomized, double-blind, head-to-head comparison |
| Sample size | 59 participants |
| Intervention | Two 25 mg psilocybin doses vs. 6 weeks daily escitalopram |
| Year | 2021 |
| Condition | Major depressive disorder |
| Journal | New England Journal of Medicine |
| Evidence | emerging |
Limitations
The primary outcome was not met; the study was not powered to prove non-inferiority, and the comparison period for escitalopram may have been too short.
Editorial note
A pivotal head-to-head trial comparing psilocybin directly against a standard SSRI. Its nuanced result — primary endpoint not met, secondary signals favorable — is a useful case study in why single endpoints can mislead and why careful reading matters.
Summary written by MMI Editorial for clarity. Always consult the primary source for full methodology and results. The confidence rating reflects our assessment of evidence strength.