Single dose of psilocybin improves depressive symptoms in Phase 2 study
The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update October 30, 2023 DOI: 10.1002/pu.31093 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA single 25-mg dose of psilocybin, given alongside psychological support, produced significant and lasting reductions in depressive symptoms compared to placebo in a Phase 2 trial involving patients with major depressive disorder. Although more adverse events occurred in the psilocybin group, no serious treatment-emergent adverse events were reported. The findings suggest psilocybin may be a promising treatment for major depression, though further research is needed to confirm safety and efficacy.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Phase 2 randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with major depressive disorder |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Dose | 25 mg |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Adverse effect Placebo Depressive symptoms Hallucinogen |
| Key finding | A single 25-mg dose of psilocybin with psychological support led to significant and sustained improvement in depressive symptoms compared to placebo. |
Abstract
A single 25‐mg dose of psilocybin administered with psychological support led to significant and sustained improvement in depressive symptoms compared with placebo in a Phase 2 study of patients with major depressive disorder. A higher number of adverse events occurred in the psilocybin group, but no serious treatment‐emergent adverse events were reported. Study results were published online Aug. 31, 2023, in JAMA .