A dose of therapy with psilocybin - A meta-analysis of the relationship between the amount of therapy hours and treatment outcomes in psychedelic-assisted therapy
Jennie Hultgren, Matthias H Hafsteinsson, Joel Gruneau Brulin
General Hospital Psychiatry August 5, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2025.07.020 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Meta-analysis Pharmacotherapy Psychotherapist Hallucinogen |
| Citations | 13 |
| Key findings | The amount of therapy hours did not influence depressive outcomes in psychedelic-assisted therapy, but this finding should be interpreted with caution due to small sample sizes, heterogeneity, and poor reporting. |
Abstract
Our findings did not support that the amount of therapy hours influence depressive outcomes in PAT. However, this interpretation should be made with caution due to small sample sizes, heterogeneity, and poor reporting of the therapeutic component across studies. Future research should apply greater methodological rigor and standardized reporting of therapy to clarify its role in PAT.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on psilocybin and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Meta-Analysis of Placebo-Controlled Trials of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy | 2020 | Systematic review | |
| Psychedelic therapy for depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Participants in studies of psychedelic therapy for depressive symptoms (Major... | 2023 | Systematic review with meta-analysis | n = 14 |
| Psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Patients diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses or major depressive disorder | 2023 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | n = 686 |
| United States National Institutes of Health grant funding for psychedelic-assisted therapy clinical trials from 2006-2020. | 2022 | Systematic review | |
| Safety and risk assessment of psychedelic psychotherapy: A meta-analysis and systematic review. Human subjects in studies of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy | 2024 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | n = 30 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 15
- Psychological Therapy Quantity and Depressive Symptom Reduction in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Network Open January 2, 2026
- The role of therapeutic alliance in psilocybin treatment for treatment-resistant depression: A post hoc path analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders August 1, 2026
- Not a Standalone Treatment: Considerations for Psychedelic‐Assisted Therapy Brain and Behavior April 1, 2026
- Psychedelics in NHS services: exploring a model for real-world implementation of psilocybin The British Journal of Psychiatry March 30, 2026
- Psilocybin Treatment as an Adjunct to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders: Therapeutic Rationale & Considerations for Protocol Development. Behavioral Sciences March 6, 2026
and 10 more in the library
Cites 46
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
and 41 more in the library