Syst Rev
May 5, 2022
Lauren Johansen, Paul Liknaitzky, Maja Nedeljkovic et al.
9 citations
This systematic review will collect and summarize studies on the psychological processes that may explain how psychedelic therapy helps treat depression. The review will search four databases for research involving classic psychedelics in adults with depression, focusing on studies that report or propose psychological mechanisms behind symptom improvement. Two reviewers will independently screen and assess the studies, then synthesize findings separately for empirical and non-empirical work. Because this is a new field, the review expects to find limited empirical research and variation among studies. The goal is to map the current evidence, identify gaps, and suggest variables for future investigation.
Front Psychiatry
September 28, 2023
Lauren Johansen, Paul Liknaitzky, Maja Nedeljkovic et al.
5 citations
Experts in psychedelic-assisted therapy agree that the treatment works for depression through a combination of psychological, neurobiological, and contextual mechanisms, with the therapeutic relationship and set and setting playing crucial roles. The Delphi study gathered consensus among specialists, who emphasized that the drug-induced experience alone is insufficient; integration sessions and a supportive environment are essential for lasting improvement. Practical implications include the need for trained therapists, careful screening of patients, and structured protocols. The findings suggest that psychedelic-assisted therapy requires a holistic approach rather than focusing solely on pharmacological effects.
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.