Psilocybin Failed to Live Up to Hype for Treatment-Resistant Depression

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Source: MedPage Today

Original: https://www.medpagetoday.com/psychiatry/depression/120375...

Published: Wed, 18 Mar 2026 17:18:03 -0400

Psilocybin combined with psychotherapy has shown limited efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms in patients with treatment-resistant depression. A phase IIb randomized clinical trial called EPISODE found that it did not achieve the expected results after stopping antidepressants. The study showed only partial improvement in symptoms. Thus, psilocybin did not fulfill the high expectations associated with its potential. The results suggest that the hype surrounding the substance was not justified in this type of depression.