Psilocybin shows mixed results for patients with treatment‐resistant depression
The Brown University Psychopharmacology Update July 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/pu.31461 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn a Phase 2b trial, patients with treatment-resistant depression who received psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy showed clinically meaningful improvement in depressive symptoms compared to placebo. However, the study did not demonstrate a significant effect on the primary outcome of treatment response 6 weeks after the first of two doses of psilocybin. Results were published online March 18, 2026, in JAMA Psychiatry.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Phase 2b trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with treatment-resistant depression |
| Duration | 6-week follow-up after the first dose |
| Key finding | Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy produced clinically meaningful improvement in depressive symptoms relative to placebo, but did not show a significant effect on the primary outcome of treatment response at 6 weeks. |
Abstract
Patients with treatment‐resistant depression who received psilocybin‐assisted psychotherapy showed clinically meaningful improvement in depressive symptoms relative to placebo, a Phase 2b trial has found. However, the study did not show a significant effect on the primary outcome of treatment response 6 weeks after the first of two doses of psilocybin. Study results were published online March 18, 2026 in JAMA Psychiatry .