All studies
Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Key finding
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.
- Institution
- Johns Hopkins University
- Design
- Randomized, waitlist-controlled clinical trial
- Sample size
- 24 participants
- Intervention
- Two psilocybin doses with supportive psychotherapy, immediate vs. delayed treatment
- Year
- 2021
- Condition
- Major depressive disorder
Limitations
Small sample, waitlist control (not active placebo), and a screened population; effects may be inflated by expectancy.
A frequently cited randomized trial extending psilocybin’s antidepressant signal from treatment-resistant to broader major depressive disorder, again under structured therapeutic support.
Read the primary source Our breakdown: Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression: What the Research Actually Shows
Summary written by MMI Editorial for clarity. Always consult the primary source for full methodology and results. Confidence rating reflects our assessment of evidence strength.