Research library / Clinical trial

Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression

Goodwin GM, Aaronson ST, Alvarez O, et al. New England Journal of Medicine 2022;387(18):1637-1648

This was the largest randomised trial of psilocybin for depression at the time of publication. 233 adults whose depression had not responded to standard treatments got one dose of psilocybin, either 25 mg, 10 mg or a near-inactive 1 mg dose, alongside psychological support. Three weeks later, the 25 mg group's depression scores had improved by about 6.6 points more than the 1 mg group's. The 10 mg dose was not clearly better than 1 mg. The advantage of 25 mg was less convincing by 12 weeks. Side effects were common, and suicidal thoughts or self-harm were reported in every group, including the control. The authors say larger, longer trials that compare psilocybin with existing treatments are needed. The study was funded by the company that makes the psilocybin formulation.