Psilocybin-Assisted Treatment for Depression Effective for 1 Year

Psilocybin-assisted treatment for major depressive disorder may be effective for up to 1 year, according to the preliminary results of a recent study.

Included were 27 adults aged 21 to 75 years who had moderate to severe unipolar depression, as defined by a score of 17 or greater on the GRID-Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (GRID-HAMD). The participants were randomly assigned to an immediate or an 8-week delayed treatment program. All participants received 2 doses of psilocybin and supportive psychotherapy. Of the 27 total participants, 24 completed the treatment sessions and were followed up for 12 months following their second dose of psilocybin.

The results indicated there were large decreases in the participants’ GRID-HAMD scores at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups when compared with the baseline scores. At 12 months, treatment response was 75% and remission was 58%. Treatment response was defined as a 50% or greater reduction in GRID-HAMD scores from baseline at follow-up.

Increased well-being at 12 months was predicted by the participants’ ratings of personal meaning, spiritual experience, and mystical experience following the sessions. However, these ratings did not predict an improvement in depression.

Further, the participants did not report any serious adverse events related to psilocybin during the follow-up period. No participants reported psilocybin use outside the scope of the study.

“These findings demonstrate that the substantial antidepressant effects of psilocybin-assisted therapy may be durable at least through 12 months following acute intervention in some patients,” the researchers concluded.

—Leigh Precopio

Reference:

Gukasyan N, Davis AK, Barrett FS, et al. Efficacy and safety of psilocybin-assisted treatment for major depressive disorder: prospective 12-month follow up. J Psychopharmacol. 2022;36(2):151-158. doi:10.1177/02698811211073759