In an open-label trial, twenty patients with severe, treatment-resistant major depression received two oral doses of psilocybin (10 mg and 25 mg, one week apart) in a supportive setting. Depressive symptoms dropped markedly within the first five weeks, with large effect sizes (Cohen's d = 2.2 at week 1 and 2.3 at week 5). Nine patients responded and four achieved remission at week 5. Improvements remained significant at three and six months (Cohen's d = 1.5 and 1.4). No one sought conventional antidepressants within five weeks. The quality of the acute psychedelic experience predicted symptom reductions at five weeks. Tolerability was good, and psilocybin appears promising for unresponsive depression, though double-blind trials are needed.
Adults who attended ayahuasca retreats in Peru reported fewer symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity afterward, regardless of retreat length or number of ceremonies. In an exploratory pilot study, 49 adults completed the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale before and after retreats lasting 8 days to 4 weeks. Scores for inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and total symptoms all dropped significantly. Only four participants had a prior ADHD diagnosis. The findings suggest ayahuasca may be associated with reductions in core ADHD features, but controlled trials are needed to confirm causality.