Psilocybin significantly helpful in treating Major Depressive Disorder

Recent clinical trial publshed in JAMA Network suggests that Psilocybin treatment was associated with a clinically significant sustained reduction in depressive symptoms and functional disability, without serious adverse events.

The researchers conducted a randomized, multi blinded design that compared a single dose of psilocybin with an active placebo comparator (niacin), with outcome assessments conducted by blinded centralized raters to examine the timing of onset of action, durability of benefit, and safety profile of psilocybin over a 6-week period.

For the study, a total of 104 participants were randomized aged 21 to 65 years with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition diagnosis of MDD of at least 60 days’ duration and moderate or greater symptom severity.

In this phase 2 study, treatment with a 25-mg dose of psilocybin administered with psychological support was associated with a statistically and clinically significant reduction in depressive symptoms compared with a niacin placebo, assessed as a change in total MADRS score and as rates of sustained response. Improvements in depression were apparent within 8 days of psilocybin dosing, consistent with a rapid onset of action, and were maintained across the 6-week follow-up period, without attenuation of the effect. Psilocybin also improved psychosocial functioning compared with niacin

Reference: Raison CL, Sanacora G, Woolley J, et al. Single-Dose Psilocybin Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. Published online August 31, 2023. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.14530