Psilocybin Found To Be As Effective As Lexapro In Treating Depression, Researchers Say

Researchers found that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, performs just as well as the commonly prescribed antidepressant escitalopram (Lexapro) in reducing depression symptoms, with additional benefits for patients' overall well-being.

The findings, published on September 21 in Lancet eClinicalMedicine and presented at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology's annual meeting in Milan, signal the potential for psilocybin to become a viable alternative treatment for depression.

See Also: Magic Mushrooms Boosted Humanity’s Evolutionary Success, New Study Says: Did Psilocybin Make Early Humans Better Hunters?

The clinical trial involved 59 patients with severe depression, half of whom received a single dose of psilocybin, while the other half underwent a six-week course of escitalopram, or Lexapro.

The results revealed that while both treatments improved depressive symptoms, psilocybin led to longer-term benefits, including enhanced meaning in life and improved psychological connectedness.

Psilocybin Outperforms Lexapro In Mental Health And Well-Being

"Both treatments led to comparable improvements in alleviating symptoms of depression at the six-week mark, such as sadness and negative emotions," said Tommaso Barba, lead researcher and doctoral candidate at Imperial College London, in a press release.

He noted that "psilocybin outperformed escitalopram in several measures of well-being, meaning in life, work, and social functioning."

Unlike traditional SSRI antidepressants, which have side effects and may not work for everyone, psilocybin appeared to offer a broader improvement in patients’ mental health.

Dr. David Erritzoe, clinical director at the Center for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London, added that the study shows psilocybin's potential as "a more holistic treatment option for depression, addressing both the symptoms of depression and overall well-being."

However, Erritzoe urged caution, stressing that psilocybin is still in the experimental stages and administered in controlled clinical settings.

“These precautions are not found in recreational psychedelic use, which is known for having unpredictable and potentially harmful effects,” he warned.

Johan Lundberg, a psychiatry professor at the Karolinska Institute, echoed these concerns, noting that while psilocybin shows promise, it may not be suitable for everyone.

"Some future patients might prefer psychedelic treatment over SSRIs, but some may be intimidated by the dramatic alterations in perception and confrontations with challenging emotions that psychedelic drugs promote," Lundberg explained.

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