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Treatment Expectancies and Psilocybin vs Escitalopram for Depression

Ethan G. Dutcher, Andrew D. Krystal

JAMA Psychiatry December 10, 2024 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.4387 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial Peer reviewed
Population People with major depressive disorder
Interventions Psilocybin Escitalopram
Topics Anxiety Psilocybin Depression
Keywords Escitalopram Depression economics Hallucinogen Clinical psychology Antidepressant
Citations 5
Key findings Higher treatment expectancies for psilocybin were associated with greater depression symptom reduction compared to escitalopram, whereas expectancies for escitalopram did not predict outcomes.

Abstract

This secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial examines the association between treatment expectancies and the relative efficacy of psilocybin compared with escitalopram for major depressive disorder.

Comparable studies

Other randomized controlled trials on psilocybin for anxiety, 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
Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Hallucinogen-naïve adults reporting regular participation in religious or spiritual... 2006 Double-blind study n = 36
Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Adults with advanced-stage cancer and anxiety 2010 Double-blind, placebo-controlled study n = 12
Acute, subacute and long-term subjective effects of psilocybin in healthy humans: a pooled analysis of experimental studies Healthy human subjects 2010 Pooled analysis of double-blind placebo-controlled experimental studies n = 110

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