Psilocybin for Depression: Not Ready for Prime Time

Psilocybin has been proposed as a novel therapy for depression based on early studies, but many questions remain about its possible role (Figure 1). In this study, researchers randomized 144 patients with treatment-resistant depression to receive a single dose of psilocybin (25 mg) or one of two active placebos (psilocybin 5 mg or nicotinamide), with psychotherapy provided to all groups. All patients and study personnel were blinded to the treatment assignment. Response was defined as a ≥50% reduction on a standardized depression scale at 6 weeks.