Research library / Clinical trial
Single-Dose Psilocybin Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Raison CL, Sanacora G, Woolley J, et al. JAMA 2023;330(9):843-853
Clinical trialPsilocybindepression
This US trial gave 104 adults with moderate or worse depression a single dose of psilocybin or niacin, a vitamin that causes flushing and was used as an active placebo, each with psychological support. Six weeks later, depression scores had fallen about 12 points more in the psilocybin group, with the difference already visible after a week. Daily functioning improved too. There were no serious adverse events, but side effects overall, including severe ones, were more common with psilocybin. The authors say the findings add to evidence that psilocybin with psychological support may help major depression.
What it found
- Depression scores (MADRS) fell by 12.3 points more with psilocybin than niacin at day 43 (95% CI -17.5 to -7.2), and by 12.0 points more at day 8
- Disability scores also improved more with psilocybin
- More people had a sustained response (but not remission) with psilocybin
- No serious treatment-emergent adverse events, but psilocybin had higher rates of overall and severe adverse events