Study Reveals that Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Leads to Lasting Depression Remission
- Sep 12
- 2 min read
New research offers a significant breakthrough for those struggling with major depressive disorder. A follow-up study by The Ohio State University has revealed that psilocybin-assisted therapy, the psychedelic compound found in "magic mushrooms," can lead to lasting depression remission in a majority of participants, even five years after the initial treatment.
The findings, published on September 4 in the Journal of Psychedelic Studies, indicate that two-thirds (67%) of participants from an initial clinical trial remained in complete remission from their depression five years later, a figure higher than the 58% recorded at one year. This extended follow-up of a trial originally published in 2021 shows that the combination of psilocybin with psychotherapy not only reduces depression symptoms but also improves anxiety, global functioning, and overall well-being in the long term.
The initial study involved 24 adults with major depressive disorder, who received two doses of psilocybin along with approximately 13 hours of psychotherapy. Alan Davis, associate professor and director of the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education (CPDRE) at The Ohio State University, and co-leader of the original trial, highlighted that participants continued to view the treatment as "safe, meaningful, important, and something that catalyzed an ongoing betterment of their life".
Even though only 18 of the 24 original participants joined the five-year follow-up, and researchers conservatively assumed that the remaining six had experienced a complete relapse, the results still showed a "very large and significant" reduction in depression symptoms.
It is important to note that the benefits are not solely attributable to the initial psilocybin treatment. Many participants sought other therapies – including antidepressants, other psychotherapies, or even ketamine and psychedelic treatments on their own – in the intervening years. However, participants described a fundamental shift in their relationship with depression after psilocybin therapy, perceiving their condition as more situational and manageable.
Davis emphasized that psilocybin-assisted therapy appears to act as a "catalyst" that helps people re-engage with their lives and other therapeutic processes, leading to sustained improvements. Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of the clinical setting and therapeutic support; those who attempted to use psychedelics on their own reported that the experiences were not as helpful without that supportive framework.
While the sample size is small and larger studies are needed to confirm these findings, this first look at the durability of the effects of psilocybin-assisted therapy offers a promising insight into its long-term potential for individuals with major depressive disorder.
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