Evaluating psilocybin for the management of depression: a literature review
Rachel Sinclair
British Journal of Mental Health Nursing August 2, 2026 DOI: 10.12968/bjmh.2025.0020 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Narrative literature review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Psilocybin microdosing |
| Topics | Depression Psilocybin |
| Key findings | Review of five articles found mixed evidence on psilocybin microdosing for depression: some studies reported improvements in mood, anxiety, and wellbeing, while others suggested benefits may be placebo effects. Methodological limitations were significant, and evidence was deemed insufficient for widespread clinical use. |
Abstract
Depression remains a significant public health concern worldwide and many individuals do not achieve adequate symptom relief from conventional treatments such as antidepressants and psychological therapies. Interest has therefore increased in alternative interventions, including psilocybin microdosing. This article aimed to critically review the current evidence regarding the use of psilocybin for managing symptoms of depression and consider the implications for mental health nursing practice. A narrative literature review was undertaken. Search terms included ‘microdosing’, ‘psilocybin’, ‘psychedelics’, ‘mental health’ and ‘depression’. Studies published in the last 10 years involving human participants were considered. Following screening and application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, five articles with a total of six empirical studies were included in the review. Three themes emerged, including ethical risks and limitations of microdosing, demographic and participant characteristics and the impact of microdosing on mental health. Some studies reported improvements in mood, anxiety and wellbeing, while others suggested that perceived benefits may be explained by placebo effects. Significant methodological limitations were identified across the literature. Current evidence suggests potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin microdosing for depression. However, the evidence base remains limited and insufficient to support widespread clinical use. Mental health nurses should remain informed about emerging psychedelic therapies while continuing to provide evidence-based care and support patients to make informed decisions regarding treatment options.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin for depression, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. General population | 2019 | Integrative review | |
| Molecular Mechanisms of Psilocybin and Implications for the Treatment of Depression | 2021 | Review | |
| Registered clinical studies investigating psychedelic drugs for psychiatric disorders. Registered clinical trials on clinicaltrials.gov evaluating psychedelics for... | 2021 | Review | n = 70 |
| Depression, Mindfulness, and Psilocybin: Possible Complementary Effects of Mindfulness Meditation and Psilocybin in the Treatment of Depression. A Review | 2020 | Review | |
| From psychiatry to neurology: Psychedelics as prospective therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders | 2021 | Review |