Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy

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

This phase 2 double-blind trial studied a single dose of a synthetic psilocybin formulation in 233 adults with treatment-resistant depression across many sites. Participants were randomized to 25 mg, 10 mg, or 1 mg (the control), each with psychological support. In this study, the 25 mg dose reduced depression scores more than the 1 mg dose at three weeks, while the 10 mg dose did not differ significantly from control. The difference was not clearly maintained as sustained response at 12 weeks. Adverse events were reported by 77% of participants, including headache, nausea and dizziness, and suicidal ideation, behavior or self-injury occurred in all dose groups. The authors call for larger and longer trials. Psilocybin remains a Schedule I substance under US federal law, and regulated access currently exists only through state programs in Oregon and Colorado; it is not available in New Jersey.

Our summaries describe what each study found. They are not medical advice, and the practices at Halcyon are not a treatment for any condition.