Psilocybin shows rapid relief for depression symptoms
Mental Health Weekly June 1, 2026 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1002/mhw.34890
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin offers rapid relief for individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD), showing benefits within days that can last for several weeks. Patients who received psilocybin had significantly greater reductions in depression scores compared to those given an active placebo, achieving the primary endpoint at eight days.
Study at a glance
| Design | randomized clinical trial |
|---|---|
| Population | people with major depressive disorder |
| Key finding | Patients receiving psilocybin experienced significantly larger reductions in depression scores compared to those given an active placebo. |
Abstract
A single dose of psilocybin may provide rapid relief for people with major depressive disorder (MDD), with benefits emerging within days and lasting for several weeks, according to a randomized clinical trial published May 15 in JAMA Network Open . Researchers of the study, “Short‐Term and Late‐Term Effects of Psilocybin on Symptoms in Major Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial,” found that patients receiving psilocybin experienced significantly larger reductions in depression scores compared with those given an active placebo, meeting the study's primary endpoint at eight days.