Over a five-year follow-up period, psilocybin-assisted therapy produced significant and sustained reductions in depression for people with major depressive disorder. Among the 18 participants who completed the study, 67% remained in remission for at least five years after treatment. Anxiety and functional impairment also improved. Qualitative interviews revealed lasting positive changes in mindset, emotional health, and relationships, including enhanced empathy, self-acceptance, and improved interpersonal relationships. No severe adverse events were reported. These findings support the long-term efficacy and safety of psilocybin-assisted therapy for reducing depressive symptoms and improving mental health.
Spanish-speaking individuals who had a memorable psilocybin or LSD experience reported two main themes: deep connection (to nature, others, the present moment, and the substance) and emotion-related experiences (from joy and peace to emotional processing, catharsis, and challenging experiences). The findings are based on a secondary qualitative analysis of open-ended survey responses from 379 Spanish-speaking participants. Similarities appeared across both substances, with some unique nuances. The work underscores the need for diverse populations in psychedelic research to improve generalizability and cultural relevance, and highlights the therapeutic potential of psychedelics while calling for culturally sensitive tools.