“[Psilocybin therapy] improved depressive symptoms severity much more quickly than the SSRI,” he says.
The study was published in theNew England Journal of Medicinein mid-April.
“It’s going to take a brave society,“Carhart-Harris says.
VICTOR de SCHWANBERG/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images
“I think that’s where we are right now.
All the participants in the current study were guided through the experience and did not take the psychedelic alone.
Psilocybin Versus Antidepressants
Researchers recruited 59 individuals with long-standing moderate-to-severe depression.
They were randomized into two groups over a six-week period.
At baseline, the psilocybin group scored 14.5 whereas the escitalopram group scored 16.4.
Still, Carhart-Harris says, psilocybin was more broadly effective, improving factors beyond just core depressive symptoms.
“For example, it made people feel better about themselves and about their life,” he says.
“They started enjoying and getting pleasure from stuff again, and they were more accepting of things.
They were less anxious.
They felt like they were flourishing more.”
Amidst all of these changes, he adds, they reported improvements in their work and social life.
At the same time, there are several limitations to this study.
Because of this, the results can’t be applied to society at large.
“Nevertheless, these findings are very encouraging.”
The DMN is most active when ruminating on repeated thoughts, Agin-Liebes says.
Some report having “bad trips,” experiencing psychotic symptoms, or a desire to self-harm.
“So these are clearly very powerful compounds that we’re dealing with here.”
At the same time, Kelly says he’s not surprised by the findings.
It all started a few decades ago when he became interested in psychoanalytic theories.
2020;10(1):2214. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-59282-y
Scientific American.Psilocybin Treatment from Mental Health Gets Legal Framework.
Alcohol and Drug Foundation.What are magic mushrooms?
2016;30(12):1268-1278. doi:10.1177/0269881116662634
