Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression
Robin Carhart-Harris, Bruna Giribaldi, Rosalind Watts, Michelle Baker-Jones, Ashleigh Murphy-Beiner, Roberta Murphy, Jonny Martell, Allan Blemings, David Erritzøe, David Nutt
New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa2032994 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Selected group of patients with depression |
| Interventions | Psilocybin Escitalopram |
| Duration | 6-week intervention |
| Topics | Psilocybin Depression |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Escitalopram Depression economics |
| Citations | 1,372 |
| Registration | NCT03429075 |
| Key findings | Psilocybin did not show a significant difference in antidepressant effects compared to escitalopram at week 6. |
Abstract
On the basis of the change in depression scores on the QIDS-SR-16 at week 6, this trial did not show a significant difference in antidepressant effects between psilocybin and escitalopram in a selected group of patients. Secondary outcomes generally favored psilocybin over escitalopram, but the analyses of these outcomes lacked correction for multiple comparisons. Larger and longer trials are required to compare psilocybin with established antidepressants. (Funded by the Alexander Mosley Charitable Trust and Imperial College London's Centre for Psychedelic Research; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03429075.).
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for 3 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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At week 6, psilocybin did not show a significant difference in antidepressant effects compared with escitalopram; secondary outcomes generally favored psilocybin but lacked correction for multiple comparisons.
Synthesized
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State of the evidence: Depression No effect
Psilocybin did not show a significant difference in antidepressant effects compared to escitalopram at week 6.
Synthesized
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State of the evidence: Psilocybin No effect
At week 6, psilocybin did not show a significant difference in antidepressant effect compared with escitalopram; secondary outcomes generally favored psilocybin but lacked correction for multiple comparisons.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on psilocybin for depression, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Cancer patients with life-threatening diagnoses and symptoms of depression and/or anxiety | 2016 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 51 |
| Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Patients with cancer-related anxiety and depression | 2016 | Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial | n = 29 |
| Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder Adults aged 21 to 75 years with major depressive disorder, not currently using... | 2020 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 24 |
| Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression. Adults with treatment-resistant depression | 2022 | Phase 2 double-blind randomized controlled trial | n = 233 |
| Single-Dose Psilocybin Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder Adults aged 21 to 65 years with major depressive disorder of at least 60 days' duration... | 2023 | Phase 2 randomized controlled trial | n = 104 |