Depression: Psilocybin etwas besser als Escitalopram
Zeitschrift für Phytotherapie August 1, 2022 DOI: 10.1055/a-1857-9047 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn a randomized trial comparing psilocybin therapy with a common antidepressant (escitalopram) for moderate-to-severe depression, both treatments reduced depressive symptoms, but psilocybin produced larger and more rapid improvements on some measures. The psilocybin group showed greater reductions in depression scores on the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology–Self-Report at the 6-week primary endpoint. Adverse events were generally mild and transient, though psilocybin was associated with more acute psychological effects during dosing sessions. The findings suggest psilocybin therapy may offer an alternative approach to treating depression, though further research is needed to confirm its efficacy and safety relative to standard antidepressants.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 59 |
| Population | Adults with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder |
| Interventions | Psilocybin Escitalopram |
| Duration | 6-week intervention |
| Topics | Anxiety Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Escitalopram Psychology Art Psychoanalysis |
| Key finding | Psilocybin therapy was associated with greater reductions in depressive symptoms than escitalopram at 6 weeks, as measured by the QIDS-SR-16. |
Abstract
Carhart-Harris R, Giribaldi B, Nutt DJ et al. Trial of psilocybin versus escitalopram for depression. N Engl J Med 2021; 384: 1402–1411. doi:10.1056/ NEJMoa2032994