Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in adults with depression – A literature review
Marie Celine Dorczok, Gloria Mittmann, Thomas Ettl, Verena Steiner‐hofbauer
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry September 24, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2025.111508 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | People with treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder |
| Intervention | structured psychological support |
| Topics | Depression Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | Psilocybin-assisted therapy combined with structured psychological support produces sustained reductions in depressive symptoms in treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder, with higher doses generally yielding stronger benefits. |
Abstract
PAP combined with structured psychological support shows sustained reductions in depressive symptoms for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder. Higher doses generally yield stronger benefits. While PAP holds significant potential as a holistic treatment, methodological limitations, such as heterogeneity in study designs, inconsistent levels of psychological support and difficulties in blinding due to the nature of the drug's effect, highlight the need for more standardized protocols in future studies to ensure reliable outcomes. More research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Paradigm Shift in Psychiatric Research and Development | 2018 | Review | |
| Novel psychopharmacological therapies for psychiatric disorders: psilocybin and MDMA. | 2016 | Review | |
| Systematized Review of Psychotherapeutic Components of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy | 2021 | Systematized review | |
| The Emerging Field of Psychedelic Psychotherapy. | 2022 | Review | |
| Experience of Music Used With Psychedelic Therapy: A Rapid Review and Implications Participants in psychedelic therapy research aged 18–69 with varied backgrounds | 2020 | Rapid review | n = 180 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- PSILOCYBIN IN THE TREATMENT OF DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS: CLINICAL EVIDENCE AND ITS POTENTIAL TO ADDRESS THE GLOBAL MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS - A REVIEW International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science June 24, 2026
- Mental health outcomes following a psilocybin session within Oregon’s state-regulated model: A naturalistic study medRxiv February 19, 2026
- Keeping an Open Mind About (and With) Psychedelics. Biological Psychiatry May 1, 2026
Cites 56
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics Pharmacological Reviews June 20, 2019
- Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression. New England Journal of Medicine November 3, 2022
and 51 more in the library