[Psilocybin in the setting of treatment-resistant unipolar depression: A case report].
L'Encephale May 23, 2025 Maroussia Dumenil, Gabriel Cordova, Wissam El-Hage 1 citation
A Mexican student in France with recurrent unipolar depression experienced incomplete relief from Escitalopram over two years, with side effects including nausea, fatigue, and numbness. After two supervised psilocybin sessions in Mexico in summer 2020, he achieved full remission of depressive symptoms and remained antidepressant-free through 2020. A 2021 double-blind trial with 59 subjects reported 70% of psilocybin-treated patients had over 50% reduction in depression, versus 48% on Escitalopram. Psilocybin, a 5-HT2A agonist, reduces amygdala reactivity to negative emotions and alters brain connectivity. The case suggests psilocybin may help treatment-resistant depression, though larger studies are needed.