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Sam Williams

Compass Pathfinder Ltd (a subsidiary of Compass Pathways plc), London, UK.

4 papers in the library · 470 citations · publishing 2022-2025

Papers

Single-dose psilocybin for a treatment-resistant episode of major depression: Impact on patient-reported depression severity, anxiety, function, and quality of life

Journal of Affective Disorders February 3, 2023 Guy M Goodwin, Scott T Aaronson, Oscar Alvarez et al. 168 citations

Three weeks after a single dose, 25 mg of psilocybin, and to a lesser extent 10 mg, improved patient-reported measures of depression severity, anxiety, affect, and functioning in people with treatment-resistant depression. These findings extend the primary results from the largest randomized clinical trial of psilocybin for TRD, highlighting outcomes that matter to patients.

Psilocybin for treatment resistant depression in patients taking a concomitant SSRI medication.

Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology September 1, 2023 Guy M Goodwin, Megan Croal, David Feifel et al. 166 citations

A single 25 mg dose of synthetic psilocybin (COMP360) given alongside psychological support to adults with treatment-resistant depression who continued taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor led to a mean reduction of 14.9 points on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale at three weeks. Twelve of nineteen participants (63.2%) experienced mild treatment-emergent adverse events that resolved the same day, with no serious events or increased suicidal ideation. Response and remission occurred in 8 participants (42.1%). The authors suggest larger controlled trials are needed to determine whether this approach can benefit patients who cannot safely withdraw from antidepressants.

The effects of psilocybin on cognitive and emotional functions in healthy participants: Results from a phase 1, randomised, placebo-controlled trial involving simultaneous psilocybin administration and preparation

Journal of Psychopharmacology January 1, 2022 James Rucker, Lindsey Marwood, Riikka-Liisa Johanna Ajantaival et al. 101 citations

A single dose of 10 or 25 mg psilocybin, given simultaneously to up to six healthy adults with one-to-one psychological support, did not impair cognitive function or emotional processing. Over 500 treatment-emergent adverse events were reported, mostly mild and resolving within a day, with no serious events or study withdrawals. Cognitive performance, measured by a Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery global composite score and domain scores, showed no clinically relevant differences between psilocybin and placebo groups. The findings suggest that these doses of psilocybin are generally well tolerated and safe for cognitive function in the short and long term.

The role of the psychedelic experience in psilocybin treatment for treatment-resistant depression.

Journal of affective disorders March 1, 2025 Guy M Goodwin, Scott T Aaronson, Oscar Alvarez et al. 35 citations

In treatment-resistant depression, a single dose of 25 mg of psilocybin produced stronger correlations between certain psychedelic experiences and depression improvement three weeks later than lower doses. The intensity of psychedelic effects was dose-related, but scores for different doses overlapped considerably. At the 25 mg dose, dimensions of oceanic boundlessness and visual restructuralization, along with emotional breakthrough, showed the strongest correlations with reduced depression scores. The study does not establish causation and requires replication. The overlap in experience intensity across doses suggests unblinding to dose is less likely. Correlations between psychedelic experience and outcome indicate specificity in psilocybin's mechanism of action.