Psilocybin therapy shows lasting depression relief.
Psilocybin therapy linked to lasting depression remission in long-term follow-up study.
Why it matters
- Offers potential long-term relief for major depressive disorder.
- Represents an alternative treatment model to traditional antidepressants.
By the numbers
- 67% of participants in remission after five years.
- 58% in remission at one year.
- 24 participants initially, 18 completed follow-up.
The big picture
- Psilocybin-assisted therapy combines psychedelic sessions with psychotherapy.
- Potential for durable psychological changes from a few high-intensity sessions.
- Most participants viewed the treatment as meaningful and life-improving.
What they're saying
- Personal anecdotes highlight positive, lasting effects of psychedelics on mental health.
- Some participants found psychedelics more effective than other treatments.
Caveats
- Small sample size limits generalizability.
- Most participants sought other treatments during follow-up.
- No control group for long-term follow-up.
What’s next
- Larger, more diverse studies needed.
- Future research should include high-risk groups excluded from this trial.