Neuropsychopharmacology
April 23, 2024
Julia Colcott, Olivia Carter, Sally Meikle et al.
37 citations
A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 studies found that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AP) is associated with increased odds of side effects compared to control conditions. In Phase 2 trials, MDMA-AP roughly doubled the odds of any side effect during medication sessions and in the following week. In Phase 3 trials, the odds of any adverse event during treatment were about 3.5 times higher with MDMA-AP than with placebo-assisted psychotherapy. Most side effects were transient and mild or moderate. However, the evidence had very low to moderate certainty, most trials had high risk of bias, and none adequately followed CONSORT Harms 2022 reporting guidelines, highlighting the need for further safety research.
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
November 22, 2019
Sally Meikle, Paul Liknaitzky, Susan L. Rossell et al.
19 citations
Psilocybin, a psychedelic drug, is gaining attention as a potential treatment for depression due to its mechanism of action, benefits in early trials, and relatively low side effect burden. This viewpoint outlines key unresolved issues for its clinical use: identifying which patients are most likely to benefit or experience adverse effects, understanding longer-term outcomes, and clarifying the role of psychotherapeutic support alongside the drug. There are also opportunities to better understand the neurobiology underlying its effects.
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
May 3, 2023
Susan L. Rossell, Sally Meikle, M.l. Williams et al.
14 citations
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Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology
September 1, 2025
Sally Meikle, Olivia Carter, Paul Liknaitzky et al.
2 citations
In an open-label pilot trial, two 25 mg doses of psilocybin combined with psychotherapy produced a clinically meaningful reduction in depressive symptoms at 3 weeks in people with treatment-resistant depression. The average improvement was sustained at 20 weeks, but individual responses varied: two participants showed lasting benefit, three relapsed, and two did not improve. Mindset before dosing, spiritual experiences, and perceptual changes during the session predicted treatment trajectory, whereas treatment expectations did not. No serious adverse events occurred. The findings support further research into tailoring psilocybin therapy to individual variability.