studies emerging

Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Psilocybin-assisted therapy produced large, rapid, and sustained antidepressant effects, with most participants meeting response criteria and about half in remission at the four-week follow-up.

Davis, Barrett, May, et al. January 1, 2021

Key findingPsilocybin-assisted therapy produced large, rapid, and sustained antidepressant effects, with most participants meeting response criteria and about half in remission at the four-week follow-up.

Study at a glance

FieldDetail
InstitutionJohns Hopkins University
DesignRandomized, waitlist-controlled clinical trial
Sample size24 participants
InterventionTwo psilocybin doses with supportive psychotherapy, immediate vs. delayed treatment
Year2021
ConditionMajor depressive disorder
JournalJAMA Psychiatry
Evidenceemerging

Limitations

Small sample, waitlist control (not active placebo), and a screened population; effects may be inflated by expectancy.

Editorial note

A frequently cited randomized trial extending psilocybin's antidepressant signal from treatment-resistant to broader major depressive disorder, again under structured therapeutic support.

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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.