International
A randomised controlled trial has found that the psychedelic compound psilocybin, which is found in magic mushrooms, was as effective as the antidepressant drug escitalopram in a group of patients with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder. After six weeks on either psilocybin or escitalopram, the small trial of 59 people showed that self-reported depression scores improved by an average of 8 points in the psilocybin group, and 6 points in the escitalopram group. Although the group taking psilocybin showed greater improvement in depressions scores, the difference between the two groups was not significant. The incidence of adverse events was similar in the trial groups, and no serious adverse events occurred. The researchers say larger and longer trials are required to compare psilocybin with established antidepressants.
Note: Not all attachments are visible to the general public. Research URLs will go live after the embargo ends.
Sign In
