Single 25 mg Psilocybin Dose Cut Depression Scores by 7.3 Points in Swedish Trial
Updated
Updated · Medical Dialogues · Jun 13
Single 25 mg Psilocybin Dose Cut Depression Scores by 7.3 Points in Swedish Trial
3 articles · Updated · Medical Dialogues · Jun 13
Summary
35 adults with moderate to severe recurrent depression saw symptoms fall sharply after one 25 mg psilocybin dose, with blinded MADRS scores dropping 9.7 points by day 8 versus 2.4 for active placebo.
Day-2 self-reports already showed an antidepressant effect, and the advantage over niacin placebo persisted through day 42 and for just over three months on patient-rated measures.
53% of the psilocybin group was in remission after six weeks, compared with 6% on placebo; after one year, the same share remained in remission, but the between-group difference was no longer confirmed.
Two psilocybin recipients developed severe, persistent anxiety needing medical attention, and researchers said the trial's blinding was weak because almost all participants correctly guessed their treatment.
Karolinska researchers said the phase 2 JAMA Network Open study suggests a faster alternative to SSRIs, but larger trials are needed to test durability, relapse prevention and brain-synapse effects.