Psilocybin, but not the antidepressant escitalopram, reduced rumination and thought suppression in people with major depressive disorder six weeks after treatment. In a randomized trial of 59 participants, only those given psilocybin showed significant decreases in both maladaptive coping strategies. Among treatment responders, thought suppression decreased exclusively in psilocybin responders, while rumination decreased in both psilocybin and escitalopram responders. Reductions in rumination and thought suppression correlated with ego dissolution and psychological insight during psilocybin sessions, suggesting distinct therapeutic mechanisms for the two treatments.
Psychedelics may improve sexual functioning and satisfaction days or weeks after use, according to two studies. In a large naturalistic study, people who used psychedelics reported greater pleasure, communication during sex, and satisfaction with their partner and appearance. A controlled clinical trial comparing psilocybin therapy with the SSRI escitalopram for depression found that those given psilocybin reported positive changes in sexual functioning after treatment, while those given escitalopram did not. This is the first quantitative investigation of psychedelics' post-acute effects on sexual functioning, suggesting a potential benefit and a need for further research.