JAMA Network Open
May 15, 2026
Hampus Yngwe, Pontus Plavén-sigray, Carl Johan Ekman et al.
1 citation
A single 25 mg dose of psilocybin, combined with psychotherapeutic support, produced rapid antidepressant effects in people with moderate to severe recurrent major depressive disorder. Depressive symptoms, measured by the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, improved significantly more in the psilocybin group than in the placebo group by day 8, with benefits lasting through day 42 but not at one year. Self-reported depressive symptoms showed improvement as early as day 2 and persisted for over three months. The treatment was generally well tolerated, though two participants experienced persistent severe anxiety requiring medical attention. These findings suggest psilocybin may offer a rapid and relatively durable antidepressant effect.
Neuropsychopharmacology
July 7, 2026
Wojciech Pasławski, D Doyon, Carl Johan Ekman et al.
Psilocybin, a rapid-acting antidepressant, reduces levels of the neuropeptide galanin and noradrenaline in cerebrospinal fluid, suggesting that normalization of these co-transmitters is a key pharmacodynamic effect. This finding comes from a secondary analysis of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial with multimodal biomarker measurements. The results indicate a selective effect of psilocybin on these specific neurotransmitters, offering insight into its mechanism of action in major depressive disorder.
BMC medical education
April 9, 2026
Nikita Sanati Morel, Dea Siggaard Stenbæk, Johan Lundberg et al.
Nine nurses completed a 15-week online and on-site training program to serve as facilitators in a trial of psilocybin treatment for depression in cancer patients. Subjective evaluations indicated the training supported knowledge and skill acquisition, but most nurses reported needing additional practical in-person training to feel adequately prepared. An objective assessment of verbal relational skills using role-plays showed a significant increase in only one of twelve measures, with medium to large effect sizes for six measures from pre- to post-training. The training model showed modest potential to improve outcomes, though effects were limited to role-play. The specific skills and qualifications needed for providing psychotherapeutic support in psilocybin treatment remain unclear.
Frontiers in Psychology
January 24, 2023
Maria Beckman, Stig Poulsen, Manoj Doss et al.
This editorial introduces a Research Topic on the role of set and setting in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. It argues that the effects of psychedelic substances are profoundly shaped by the psychological state of the individual (set) and the physical, social, and cultural environment (setting), rather than being purely pharmacological. The editorial emphasizes that understanding and optimizing these contextual factors is crucial for both safe clinical practice and the design of future research. It calls for more systematic investigation into how set and setting influence therapeutic outcomes, and highlights the need to integrate these insights into training and clinical protocols to maximize the potential benefits and minimize risks of psychedelic-assisted therapy.