{ "meta": { "tracker_site_url": "https://psilocybin-research.com", "publication_tracker_url": "https://psilocybin-research.com/", "generated_at_utc": "2026-07-02 19:52:01", "record_count": 54 }, "papers": [ { "id": 3024, "title": "Sex-Specific Effects of Psilocybin Versus Escitalopram on Anxiety and Anhedonia: A Bayesian Reanalysis of Antidepressant Treatment Outcomes", "normalized_title": "sex specific effects of psilocybin versus escitalopram on anxiety and anhedonia a bayesian reanalysis of antidepressant treatment outcomes", "authors": "Frick A, Blest-Hopley G, Grin M, Erritzoe D, Nutt D, Carhart-Harris R.", "abstract": "Abstract Rationale: Major depressive disorder (MDD) shows marked sex differences in prevalence, symptomatology, and treatment response. However, women remain underrepresented in many clinical trials, and sex-specific treatment outcomes are rarely examined. Objectives This study reanalyzed data from a randomized controlled trial comparing psilocybin and escitalopram for MDD to evaluate sex differences across multiple psychological domains. Methods We reanalyzed data from a six-week, double-blind randomized controlled trial comparing psilocybin with escitalopram in adults with moderate-to-severe MDD. Post-treatment depressive symptoms (MADRS, QIDS-SR-16, BDI), anhedonia (SHAPS), anxiety (STAI), thought suppression (WBSI), and well-being (WEMWBS) were modeled as a function of sex, treatment condition, their interaction, and baseline symptom severity. Sexual dysfunction severity (PRSexDQ-SALSEX), assessed only at the six-week follow-up, was analyzed separately as an ordinal outcome. Results Sex-related patterns emerged for anxiety and anhedonia. Women receiving psilocybin showed greater reductions in anxiety than men (STAI: 95% CrI − 17.5 to − 3.29), whereas women receiving escitalopram showed greater reductions in anhedonia than men (SHAPS: 95% CrI − 4.63 to 0.00). For the remaining continuous outcomes, sex differences were generally small and uncertain. Sexual dysfunction severity was lower overall in the psilocybin group than in the escitalopram group and lower in women than in men, although the treatment-by-sex interaction was not significant. Conclusions This reanalysis identified domain-specific sex-related patterns in anxiety and anhedonia, suggesting that responses to psilocybin and escitalopram may differ between women and men. These preliminary findings support adequately powered, sex-balanced, and hormone-informed trials of serotonergic treatments for MDD.", "journal": "Research Square", "publication_date": "2026-06-18", "publication_year": 2026, "doi": "10.21203/rs.3.rs-9880403/v1", "pubmed_id": null, "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9880403/v1", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 11:03:45", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:00", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"PPR1255612\",\"source\":\"PPR\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":\"Research Square\",\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Anxiety,Wellbeing,Clinical Trial,Randomized Controlled Trial,Drug Interactions", "study_type": "Randomized Controlled Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "preprint" }, { "id": 3023, "title": "Distinct brain responses to psilocybin and escitalopram in depression captured by the Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorem", "normalized_title": "distinct brain responses to psilocybin and escitalopram in depression captured by the fluctuation dissipation theorem", "authors": "Dagnino PC, Acero-Pousa I, Zamora-López G, Escrichs A, Erritzoe D, Nutt DJ, Carhart-Harris RL, Sanz Perl Y, Kringelbach ML, Deco G.", "abstract": "In recent decades, the psychedelic psilocybin has been studied as a potential treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), offering an alternative to traditional antidepressants. However, the brain changes underlying the clinical effects of different interventions remain unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of psilocybin and a conventional antidepressant, escitalopram, from the double-blind randomised controlled trial (DB-RCT) - NCT03429075 - on the brain’s hierarchical organisation. Using pre- and post-treatment resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) we built whole-brain models and obtained a generative effective connectivity (GEC) matrix for each patient. Based on the GEC, we measured the level of non-equilibrium brain dynamics by quantifying the deviation from the fluctuation-dissipation theorem (FDT) and performed complementary analysis on brain segregation and asymmetry. Our results showed opposite reconfigurations of the hierarchical non-equilibrium brain dynamics following each treatment. Additionally, baseline measures effectively distinguished responders from non-responders within each treatment. These findings suggest that the deviation of the FDT may serve as a marker for differentiating the effects of psilocybin and escitalopram in MDD treatment, overall, contributing to the understanding of therapeutic mechanisms of depression.", "journal": "bioRxiv", "publication_date": "2026-06-15", "publication_year": 2026, "doi": "10.64898/2026.06.12.731811", "pubmed_id": null, "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.06.12.731811", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "bioRxiv", "date_added": "2026-07-01 11:03:45", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:00", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"PPR1253375\",\"source\":\"PPR\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":\"bioRxiv\",\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Brain Imaging,Mechanism of Action,Biomarkers,Aging,Randomized Controlled Trial", "study_type": "Randomized Controlled Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "preprint" }, { "id": 119, "title": "Human brain changes after first psilocybin use.", "normalized_title": "human brain changes after first psilocybin use", "authors": "Lyons T, Spriggs M, Kerkelä L, Rosas FE, Roseman L, Mediano PAM, Timmermann C, Oestreich L, Pagni BA, Zeifman RJ, Hampshire A, Trender W, Douglass HM, Girn M, Godfrey K, Kettner H, Sharif F, Espasiano L, Gazzaley A, Wall MB, Erritzoe D, Nutt DJ, Carhart-Harris RL.", "abstract": "Psychedelics have robust effects on acute brain function and long-term behavior but whether they also cause enduring functional and anatomical brain changes is largely unknown. In an exploratory, placebo-controlled, within-subjects, electroencephalography (EEG), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study in 28 healthy, entirely psychedelic-naive participants, anatomical and functional brain changes are detected from one-hour to one-month after a single high-dose (25 mg) of psilocybin. Increases in cognitive flexibility, psychological insight, and well-being are seen at one-month. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) done before and one-month after 25 mg psilocybin reveals decreased axial diffusivity bilaterally in prefrontal-subcortical tracts that correlate with decreases in brain network modularity (fMRI) over the same month. Enduring functional brain changes are largely absent, but network modularity change (numerical decrease) negatively correlates with well-being change (significant increase), in line with previous findings in depression. Increased cortical signal entropy (EEG) at 1- and 2-hours post-dosing predicts improved psychological well-being at one-month. Next-day psychological insight mediates the entropy to well-being relationship. All effects are exclusive to 25 mg psilocybin; no effects occur with a 1 mg psilocybin placebo.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2026-05-04", "publication_year": 2026, "doi": "10.1038/s41467-026-71962-3", "pubmed_id": "42086570", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-71962-3", "keywords": "Brain, Humans, Hallucinogens, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Electroencephalography, Adult, Female, Male, Young Adult, Diffusion Tensor Imaging, Psilocybin, Psychological Well-Being, Cognitive Flexibility", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-06-30 22:38:07", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:00", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"42086570\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Brain Imaging,Aging,Wellbeing", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 315, "title": "High hopes? Precision psychedelic addiction medicine.", "normalized_title": "high hopes precision psychedelic addiction medicine", "authors": "Zafar RR, Kleine P, Kurtin D, Wall M, Erritzoe D.", "abstract": "Despite decades of neuroscience research and significant investment in addiction neuroimaging, clinical outcomes for individuals with substance use and behavioural addictions remain poor. Only 1.8% of people with substance use disorders receive effective treatment, highlighting a major disconnect between mechanistic understanding and clinical utility. This paper calls for a reorientation of addiction neuroscience, from a predominantly diagnostic focus toward a theragnostic framework, in which biomarkers are used to stratify patients, guide treatment decisions, and predict outcomes. We argue that the integration of translational neuroimaging biomarkers, particularly fMRI, EEG, and PET, within psychedelic addiction research offers a unique and timely opportunity to catalyse this shift. Psychedelic compounds such as psilocybin represent a new class of therapeutics capable of engaging neuroplasticity, reward and emotional processing, and cognitive control networks central to addiction pathophysiology. We review how acute and pre-post neuroimaging paradigms can index pharmacodynamic effects and longer-term treatment response and propose a roadmap for embedding biomarkers in early and late phase clinical trials. Drawing on ongoing studies at the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London, we outline how multimodal biomarkers are being co-developed alongside clinical trials in gambling and opioid use disorders to identify biotype-specific responses and build a deeply phenotyped treatment population. We argue that these biomarkers, if validated, could serve as regulatory-grade tools for drug theragnostic co-development, mirroring successful models in oncology and neurology. Importantly, we emphasise that realising this vision will require robust multi-stakeholder collaboration, including academia, industry, regulatory agencies, funders, healthcare systems, and patient groups alongside dedicated investment to build a scalable theragnostic infrastructure for addiction research and medicine. In conclusion, psychedelic therapy offers more than symptomatic relief, it presents a vehicle for transforming how we diagnose, treat, and understand addiction. By embracing theragnostic principles and prioritising biomarker integration, addiction medicine has the potential to move towards personalised and precision-guided care.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2026-01-27", "publication_year": 2026, "doi": "10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1681795", "pubmed_id": "41684524", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1681795", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:04", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:03", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"41684524\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Addiction,Neuroplasticity,Brain Imaging,Pharmacology,Biomarkers,Aging,Emotional Processing,Clinical Trial,Review Article,Cancer Patients", "study_type": "Clinical Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 436, "title": "Negative affective bias in depression following treatment with psilocybin or escitalopram - a secondary analysis from a randomized trial.", "normalized_title": "negative affective bias in depression following treatment with psilocybin or escitalopram a secondary analysis from a randomized trial", "authors": "Martens MAG, Cunha BG, Erritzoe D, Nutt D, Carhart-Harris R, Harmer CJ.", "abstract": "Recent clinical trial data suggests that ratings on depression scales are lowered after psilocybin therapy compared to placebo, though it is unclear what neuropsychological mechanisms underpin these effects. This study compared psilocybin, with an established antidepressant, escitalopram, to investigate whether there are shared or distinct effects on emotional information processing. Patients with long-standing moderate-to-severe depression were randomly and double-blindly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either 1) two doses of 25 mg of psilocybin, 3-weeks apart, plus 6-weeks of daily placebo (psilocybin group N = 30); or 2) two doses of 1 mg of psilocybin 3-weeks apart plus 6-weeks of daily oral escitalopram (escitalopram group N = 29); all patients received the same psychological support. Behavioural measures of affective bias as well as subjective measures of depression were collected at baseline and at the primary 6-week endpoint, using an established computerised task (Facial Emotion Recognition Task) and Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, respectively. Change in affective bias was further correlated with change in depression scores measured concurrently as well as at 1-month post-trial follow-up (week-10), corrected for baseline depression severity. Negative bias in facial expression recognition decreased after both treatments to a comparable level. Concurrently, change in negative affective bias was not associated with change in depression. Longitudinally, a decrease in the misclassification of positive faces as negative was associated with a decrease in depression scores at week-10 for the escitalopram group only. Therefore, a more positive behavioural bias in emotional processing was seen following psilocybin and citalopram compared to baseline. This highlights the potential for at least some overlap in cognitive mechanisms across two distinct treatments, which is noteworthy given the short dosing regimen with psilocybin.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2025-11-12", "publication_year": 2025, "doi": "10.1038/s41398-025-03693-w", "pubmed_id": "41257994", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03693-w", "keywords": "Humans, Citalopram, Hallucinogens, Treatment Outcome, Double-Blind Method, Depression, Affect, Adult, Middle Aged, Female, Male, Facial Recognition, Psilocybin, Escitalopram, Secondary Data Analysis", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:04", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:00", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"41257994\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Mechanism of Action,Emotional Processing,Clinical Trial", "study_type": "Clinical Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 560, "title": "Psychedelic Therapy, Positive Emotional Experiences, and the Central Role of Self-Compassion", "normalized_title": "psychedelic therapy positive emotional experiences and the central role of self compassion", "authors": "Zeifman R, Danias G, Agin-Liebes G, Pagni B, Kettner H, Bhat V, Ross S, Erritzoe D, Carhart-Harris R.", "abstract": "Abstract Background: Psychedelics can acutely induce mystical experiences and elevated positive mood, which may contribute to the potential benefits of psychedelic therapy. However, there remains limited understanding of the occurrence and importance of specific positive emotional experiences within psychedelic therapy. Therefore, we examined the effects of psychedelics on positive emotional experiences and their association with improvements in mental health. Methods: Study 1 was an observational study of naturalistic psychedelic use. Study 2 used data from a clinical trial that compared psilocybin with escitalopram in individuals with major depressive disorder. In this trial, participants completed two dosing sessions, where they received either 25mg or 1mg of psilocybin. In both studies, following their psychedelic experience or psilocybin dosing sessions, participants rated their acute experiences of seven specific positive emotional experiences (self-compassion, compassion toward others, gratitude, love, awe, ecstasy, and peace). Results: Relative to low-dose psychedelic, medium and high-dose psychedelic use were associated with greater positive emotional experiences. Relative to 1mg psilocybin, 25mg psilocybin was associated with greater positive emotional experiences. Several positive emotional experiences predicted improvements in mental health and mediated treatment outcomes, with the strongest evidence for the effect of self-compassion (over and above mystical experience and positive mood). Discussion: Positive emotional experiences, especially self-compassion, appear to play an important role within psychedelic therapy. Based on these findings, we highlight key considerations surrounding psychotherapeutic approaches to, and optimization of, psychedelic therapy. Future research should move beyond retrospective, self-reports of emotional experiences to fully capture their role within psychedelic therapy.", "journal": "Research Square", "publication_date": "2025-08-21", "publication_year": 2025, "doi": "10.21203/rs.3.rs-7420529/v1", "pubmed_id": null, "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7420529/v1", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:04", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:01", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"PPR1071953\",\"source\":\"PPR\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":\"Research Square\",\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Emotional Processing,Mystical Experience,Clinical Trial,Observational Study", "study_type": "Clinical Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "preprint" }, { "id": 571, "title": "Improved mental health outcomes and normalised spontaneous EEG activity in veterans reporting a history of traumatic brain injuries following participation in a psilocybin retreat.", "normalized_title": "improved mental health outcomes and normalised spontaneous eeg activity in veterans reporting a history of traumatic brain injuries following participation in a psilocybin retreat", "authors": "Blest-Hopley G, Pasculli G, Ruffell SGD, Tsang W, Emmanuel O, Pate KM, Kettner H, Roseman L, Erritzoe D, Carhart-Harris R.", "abstract": "IntroductionPsilocybin, a serotonergic psychedelic, has shown therapeutic potential in treating mental health disorders by, amongst the many effects, promoting neuroplasticity and reorganising functional connectivity across cortical and subcortical networks involved in emotion and cognition. Veterans with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) often experience chronic neurological and psychological symptoms such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. This study investigates the effects of psilocybin administered in retreat settings on veterans with a history of TBI, focusing on mental health outcomes and changes in brain connectivity as measured by EEG.MethodsA total of 21 participants were recruited through the Heroic Hearts Project, which facilitated access to two six-day psilocybin retreats in Jamaica. Before the retreat, participants underwent three individual and three group coaching sessions to prepare for the experience. During the retreat, two psilocybin ceremonies were held, spaced 48 hours apart. Participants received an initial dose of 1.5g to 3.5g of dried psilocybin mushrooms, with the option to increase the second dose up to 5g. Psilocybin was administered in a tea format, under the supervision of experienced facilitators. Psychological outcomes were assessed using validated questionnaires (PCL-5, PHQ-9, STAI) at baseline (four weeks pre-retreat) and four weeks post-retreat. Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure brainwave activity pre- and post-treatment. Paired t-tests were used to analyze changes in psychological scores, while EEG frequency band analysis assessed changes in brain function and connectivity.ResultsImprovements were observed across several mental health measures: PTSD (PCL-5 scores decreased by 50%, p=0.010), depression (PHQ-9 scores decreased by 65%, p", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2025-08-05", "publication_year": 2025, "doi": "10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1594307", "pubmed_id": "40842948", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1594307", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:04", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:00", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"40842948\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,PTSD,Neuroplasticity,Brain Imaging,Emotional Processing,Veterans", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 578, "title": "Perturbing whole-brain models of brain hierarchy: An application for depression following pharmacological treatment.", "normalized_title": "perturbing whole brain models of brain hierarchy an application for depression following pharmacological treatment", "authors": "Socoró-Garrigosa M, Perl YS, Kringelbach ML, Erritzoe D, Nutt DJ, Carhart-Harris R, Vohryzek J, Deco G.", "abstract": "Determining the scale of neural representations is a central challenge in neuroscience. While localized representations have traditionally dominated, evidence suggests information is also encoded in distributed, hierarchical networks. Recent research indicates that the hierarchy of causal influences shaping functional patterns serves as a signature of distinct brain states, with implications for neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we first explore how whole-brain models, guided by the thermodynamics of mind framework, estimate brain hierarchy and how perturbing such models enables the study of in-silico transitions represented by static functional connectivity. We then apply this to major depressive disorder, where different brain hierarchical reconfigurations emerge following psilocybin and escitalopram treatments. We build resting-state whole-brain models of depressed patients before and after interventions and conduct a dynamic sensitivity analysis to explore brain states' susceptibility-measuring their capacity to change-and their drivability to healthier states. We show that susceptibility is on average reduced by escitalopram and increased by psilocybin, and that both treatments promote healthier transitions. These results align with the post-treatment window of plasticity opened by serotonergic psychedelics and the similar clinical efficacy of both drugs in trials. Overall, this work demonstrates how whole-brain models of brain hierarchy can inform in-silico neurostimulation protocols for neuropsychiatric disorders.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2025-07-20", "publication_year": 2025, "doi": "10.1111/nyas.15391", "pubmed_id": "40689865", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.15391", "keywords": "Brain, Humans, Citalopram, Hallucinogens, Depression, Models, Neurological, Psilocybin, Escitalopram, Major Depressive Disorder", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:04", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:02", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"40689865\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Neuroplasticity", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 625, "title": "Correction: Dissociable effects of psilocybin and escitalopram for depression on processing of musical surprises.", "normalized_title": "correction dissociable effects of psilocybin and escitalopram for depression on processing of musical surprises", "authors": "Harding R, Singer N, Wall MB, Hendler T, Erritzoe D, Nutt D, Carhart-Harris R, Roseman L.", "abstract": "", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2025-06-30", "publication_year": 2025, "doi": "10.1038/s41380-025-03066-1", "pubmed_id": "40481249", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-025-03066-1", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:04", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:03", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"40481249\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 497, "title": "Single-dose (10 mg) psilocybin reduces symptoms in adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder: A pharmacological challenge study.", "normalized_title": "single dose 10 mg psilocybin reduces symptoms in adults with obsessive compulsive disorder a pharmacological challenge study", "authors": "Pellegrini L, Fineberg NA, O'Connor S, De Souza AMFLP, Godfrey K, Reed S, Peill J, Healy M, Rohani-Shukla C, Lee H, Carhart-Harris R, Robbins TW, Nutt D, Erritzoe D.", "abstract": "BackgroundObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common and disabling condition. A large proportion of patients fail to respond to first-line treatment with serotonin reuptake inhibitors either selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or clomipramine. Preliminary evidence suggests psilocybin, a serotonin receptor agonist, might be efficacious. We conducted a pharmacological challenge study to investigate the efficacy and mechanisms of effect of psilocybin in OCD. This analysis reports the clinical outcomes only.MethodsParticipants with a diagnosis of OCD of at least moderate severity, received two single doses of oral psilocybin, 1 mg followed by 10 mg, administered in fixed order separated by 4 weeks. On the day of dosing, they were treated in a day-care facility in the presence of clinicians experienced in the use of psychedelics for treating mental disorders. Psychological support was provided before, during and after dosing. Participants and raters were blinded to the order of treatment. They were assessed on the day before each dose (baseline 1, 2), on the day of dosing and at intervals over a 4-week period afterward using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) (primary clinical outcome) and secondary clinical outcomes including the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Adverse effects were also recorded.ResultsNineteen adult participants (aged 20-60) entered the study and 18 completed all assessments. Clinical outcomes following 1 mg and 10 mg psilocybin were compared using a linear mixed-effects model and ANOVA. A significant between-dosage effect favouring 10 mg psilocybin was found one-week after dosing on the Y-BOCS (Cohen's d = 0.82, p = 0.002). In particular, the effect one-week after dosing was statistically significant on the compulsion subscale of the Y-BOCS (Cohen's d: 0.74, p = 0.003), compared to obsession (Cohen's d: 0.50, p = 0.06). The effect diminished over the subsequent 3 weeks. No effect of psilocybin was detected on the MADRS. Psilocybin was well tolerated, with few adverse events reported at both dosages and no serious adverse events.ConclusionsIn this study, which was limited by a small sample size and the absence of randomisation, a 10 mg dose of oral psilocybin was found to be well-tolerated and potentially efficacious in patients with OCD. Psilocybin produced a rapid-onset, moderate to large effect on compulsive symptoms, which lasted up to one week after dosing. Future randomised placebo-controlled clinical trials investigating a longer course of multiple weekly doses of 10 mg psilocybin are indicated in OCD and in other obsessive-compulsive and related disorders characterised by compulsions.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2025-06-30", "publication_year": 2025, "doi": "10.1016/j.comppsych.2025.152619", "pubmed_id": "40618640", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2025.152619", "keywords": "Humans, Hallucinogens, Treatment Outcome, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Adult, Middle Aged, Female, Male, Young Adult, Psilocybin", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:04", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:00", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"40618640\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,OCD,Mechanism of Action,Receptor Pharmacology,Clinical Trial,Healthcare Workers,Adverse Events", "study_type": "Clinical Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 584, "title": "The effects of psilocybin therapy versus escitalopram on cognitive bias: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.", "normalized_title": "the effects of psilocybin therapy versus escitalopram on cognitive bias a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial", "authors": "Henry J, Giribaldi B, Nutt DJ, Erritzoe D, Carhart-Harris R, Lyons T.", "abstract": "BackgroundPatients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) have more dysfunctional attitudes than healthy individuals and these pessimistic biases are correlated with depression severity. Psilocybin has demonstrated sustained remission in depression.MethodsSecondary analysis of a two-arm randomized controlled trial assessing the effect of psilocybin therapy versus escitalopram on 'maladaptive' cognitive biases relevant to the construct of depression. Primary outcomes were post-treatment changes in biases at six weeks compared with baseline, as measured using three validated psychological scales.FindingsFifty-nine MDD patients were randomly allocated to the psilocybin (n = 30) or escitalopram (n = 29) groups. Self-reported optimism showed a large increase six-weeks after psilocybin treatment (Mdiff=6·63 p < 0·0001; 95 % CI [4·06, 9·20], d = 1·1), whereas there was no change following escitalopram (Mdiff=1·52, p = 0·205; 95 % CI [-0·59, 3·62], d = 0·4). Behavioral results found that patients were more optimistic about desirable life events after psilocybin treatment (Mdiff=0·16, p = 0·0002; 95 % CI [0·08, 0·23], d = 1·1), but they were also less pessimistic about negative life events after escitalopram treatment (Mdiff=0·07, p = 0·018; 95 % CI [0·01, 0·13], d = 0·5). We found improvements in all three domains of dysfunctional attitudes following psilocybin treatment: achievement (Mdiff=10·37, p < 0·0001; 95 % CI [6·38, 14·53], d = 1·0); dependency (Mdiff=7·97, p < 0·0001; 95 % CI [4·00, 11·93], d = 0·9) and self-control (Mdiff=6·40, p = 0·0006; 95 % CI [2·60, 10·20], d = 0·8)), whereas only the achievement domain improved after escitalopram (Mdiff=4·10, p = 0·005; 95 % CI [1·35, 6·86], d = 0·6).InterpretationThese results suggest that two high-dose sessions with psilocybin therapy are superior to a six-week daily course of a selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor antidepressant, in remediating negative cognitive biases in depression.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2025-06-22", "publication_year": 2025, "doi": "10.1016/j.euroneuro.2025.06.003", "pubmed_id": "40554997", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2025.06.003", "keywords": "Humans, Citalopram, Hallucinogens, Treatment Outcome, Cognition, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Adult, Middle Aged, Female, Male, Psilocybin, Escitalopram, Major Depressive Disorder", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:04", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:00", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"40554997\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Receptor Pharmacology,Randomized Controlled Trial", "study_type": "Randomized Controlled Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 150, "title": "The Music for Subanesthetic Infusions of Ketamine randomised clinical trial: ketamine as a psychedelic treatment for highly refractory depression.", "normalized_title": "the music for subanesthetic infusions of ketamine randomised clinical trial ketamine as a psychedelic treatment for highly refractory depression", "authors": "Greenway KT, Garel N, Dinh-Williams LL, Thibault Lévesque J, Kaelen M, Dagenais-Beaulé V, de la Salle S, Erritzoe D, Looper K, Turecki G, Rej S, Richard-Devantoy S.", "abstract": "BackgroundKetamine exerts potent but transient antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Combinations of ketamine and psychotherapy have attracted interest, but no trial has investigated a psychedelic model of ketamine-psychotherapy for TRD to our knowledge.AimsThis secondary analysis of a randomised clinical trial (RCT) explores the therapeutic effects and experiential mechanisms of the Montreal Model of ketamine-psychotherapy for TRD, with or without music.MethodA two-centre, single-blinded, RCT conducted in Montreal, Canada, between January 2021 and August 2022 (NCT04701866). Participants received ketamine-psychotherapy for TRD - six subanaesthetic infusions over 4 weeks and psychological support - with either music or matched non-music support during ketamine doses, as per random group assignments. The primary therapeutic outcome was the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, assessed by blinded raters. Psychedelic-like experiences, evaluated by the Mystical Experience Questionnaire and Emotional Breakthrough Inventory, and their session-by-session relationships with depression were explored with multilevel, time-lagged covariate models with autoregressive residuals.ResultsThirty-two participants with severe and highly comorbid TRD, including high rates of personality disorder and suicidality, received 181 ketamine infusions. Therapeutic outcomes and psychedelic experiences did not differ between music (n = 15) and non-music (n = 17) interventions. Both groups experienced significant reductions in clinician-rated and self-reported depression (d = 1.2 and d = 0.87, respectively; p < 0.001), anxiety (d = 0.8, p < 0.001) and suicidality (d = 0.4, p < 0.05) at 4 weeks, fully maintained at 8-week follow-up. Ketamine experiences were highly emotional and mystical. Converging analyses supported mystical-like ketamine experiences as mechanisms of its antidepressant effects.ConclusionsThis trial found large and notably sustained benefits of ketamine-psychotherapy for severe TRD, with or without music, and psychedelic experiences of comparable intensity to those observed with psilocybin. Mystical-like experiences may particularly contribute to ketamine's immediate and persistent psychiatric benefits.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2025-06-17", "publication_year": 2025, "doi": "10.1192/bjp.2025.102", "pubmed_id": "40528492", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.2025.102", "keywords": "Humans, Ketamine, Hallucinogens, Antidepressive Agents, Treatment Outcome, Combined Modality Therapy, Music Therapy, Single-Blind Method, Adult, Middle Aged, Female, Male, Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-06-30 22:38:07", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:04", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"40528492\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Anxiety,Mechanism of Action,Personality Change,Emotional Processing,Mystical Experience,Clinical Trial,Randomized Controlled Trial,Treatment-Resistant Depression,Healthcare Workers", "study_type": "Randomized Controlled Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 664, "title": "Enhanced meaning in life following psychedelic use: converging evidence from controlled and naturalistic studies.", "normalized_title": "enhanced meaning in life following psychedelic use converging evidence from controlled and naturalistic studies", "authors": "Roseby W, Kettner H, Roseman L, Spriggs MJ, Lyons T, Peill J, Giribaldi B, Erritzoe D, Nutt DJ, Carhart-Harris RL.", "abstract": "IntroductionPsychedelics, such as psilocybin, are increasingly recognized for their propensity to elicit powerful subjective experiences that carry personal meaning. While research has demonstrated the capacity for these compounds to promote psychological wellbeing, it has yet to be shown to what extent they modulate \"meaning in life\", a specific contributor to mental and physical health.MethodsUsing the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ), we examined changes in meaning in life occurring across three different contexts of psychedelic use, including a randomized clinical trial of psilocybin for depression, controlled administration of psilocybin in a single-arm healthy volunteer study, and a naturalistic observational study following participants in psychedelic retreats. Meaning in life changes were analyzed with linear mixed models, and relationships to other predictors and outcomes were examined via Pearson correlations.ResultsAcross all contexts, the sub-factor \"presence of meaning\" was strongly increased after a psychedelic experience, while the sub-factor \"search for meaning\" was only weakly reduced. Enhancements of meaning in life were also moderately correlated with changes in measures of mental health, including mental wellbeing and depression severity. In line with previous research, we found that mystical, ego dissolution and emotional breakthrough experiences were correlated with an increase of meaning in life, with context-dependent differences in the strength of the association.DiscussionThe convergence of evidence from multiple studies shows that psychedelic use has a robust and long-lasting positive effect on meaning in life. We explore potential mechanisms of psychedelic-induced meaning enhancement and highlight the possible influences of psychosocial context on outcomes.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2025-06-05", "publication_year": 2025, "doi": "10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1580663", "pubmed_id": "40547590", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1580663", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:04", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:02", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"40547590\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Mechanism of Action,Wellbeing,Emotional Processing,Mystical Experience,Clinical Trial,Observational Study,Healthy Volunteers", "study_type": "Clinical Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 885, "title": "Serotonergic psychedelics for depression: A comprehensive overview.", "normalized_title": "serotonergic psychedelics for depression a comprehensive overview", "authors": "Wingert AM, Agnorelli C, Peill J, Reed S, Nutt DJ, Erritzoe D.", "abstract": "Depressive disorders continue to pose a major clinical challenge worldwide, particularly given the high prevalence and increasing number of treatment-resistant cases. Over the past decade, advances in research have elucidated the antidepressant potential of psilocybin and other 5-HT₂A receptor agonists in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Phase I and II clinical trials have consistently demonstrated that even a single administration can yield rapid and sustained symptom reduction. These effects compare favourably with conventional pharmacotherapies such as SSRIs and ketamine. The distinctive pharmacological profile and robust safety data associated with serotonergic psychedelics make them particularly promising candidates, especially for patients who do not respond to standard treatments. Nonetheless, several challenges impede their integration into routine clinical practice, including the resource-intensive nature of psychedelic-assisted therapy, which demands specialized training and controlled settings. Despite those limitations, some countries including Australia, Switzerland or Canada are paving the way by allowing the use of psilocybin in TRD cases. This chapter reviews the antidepressant potential of psilocybin, DMT, ayahuasca and 5-MeO-DMT based on modern clinical trial data, comparing effect sizes of psychedelics to conventional treatments like SSRIs and ketamine, and provides a brief overview of their potential neurobiological mechanisms.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2025-05-13", "publication_year": 2025, "doi": "10.1016/bs.irn.2025.04.009", "pubmed_id": "40541312", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.irn.2025.04.009", "keywords": "Animals, Humans, Hallucinogens, Antidepressive Agents, Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant, Psilocybin, Major Depressive Disorder", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:04", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:02", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"40541312\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Mechanism of Action,Receptor Pharmacology,Clinical Trial,Review Article,Treatment-Resistant Depression,Safety", "study_type": "Clinical Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 675, "title": "Reduced Brain Responsiveness to Emotional Stimuli With Escitalopram But Not Psilocybin Therapy for Depression.", "normalized_title": "reduced brain responsiveness to emotional stimuli with escitalopram but not psilocybin therapy for depression", "authors": "Wall MB, Demetriou L, Giribaldi B, Roseman L, Ertl N, Erritzoe D, Nutt DJ, Carhart-Harris RL.", "abstract": "ObjectivePsilocybin is an emerging intervention for depression that may be at least as effective as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), but effects of the two treatments on the neural correlates of emotional processing have never been directly compared.MethodsThe authors assessed neural responses to emotional faces using blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) in two groups with major depression. One group (N=25; 9 women and 16 men) received two dosing sessions with 25 mg psilocybin plus 6 weeks of daily inert placebo, and the second group (N=21; 6 women and 15 men) received 6 weeks of escitalopram plus two dosing sessions with a nonpsychoactive (placebo) dose of 1 mg psilocybin. Both groups had equal psychological support throughout: 3 hours of preparation, one in-person integration session following the psilocybin dosing sessions, and two further integration sessions conducted via video call or telephone. An emotional face fMRI paradigm was completed before treatment and at the 6-week posttreatment primary end point (3 weeks following psilocybin dosing sessions).ResultsPatient group (psilocybin versus escitalopram) interacted with time point (before versus after treatment) on a distributed set of cortical regions. Post hoc within-condition analyses showed that posttreatment BOLD responses to emotional faces of all types were significantly reduced in the escitalopram group, with no change or a slight increase in the psilocybin group. Analyses of amygdala responsivity showed a reduction of response to fearful faces in the escitalopram group, but lesser effects for the psilocybin group.ConclusionsDespite large improvements in depressive symptoms in the psilocybin group, psilocybin therapy had only a minor effect on brain responsiveness to emotional stimuli. These results are consistent with prior findings that the antidepressant action of SSRIs is often accompanied by a reduction in emotional responsiveness, but this effect may not occur in psychedelic therapy.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2025-05-06", "publication_year": 2025, "doi": "10.1176/appi.ajp.20230751", "pubmed_id": "40329640", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.20230751", "keywords": "Brain, Amygdala, Humans, Hallucinogens, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Facial Expression, Treatment Outcome, Double-Blind Method, Emotions, Adult, Middle Aged, Female, Male, Psilocybin, Escitalopram, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, Major Depressive Disorder", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:04", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:00", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"40329640\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Brain Imaging,Receptor Pharmacology,Aging,Emotional Processing", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 631, "title": "Dissociable effects of psilocybin and escitalopram for depression on processing of musical surprises.", "normalized_title": "dissociable effects of psilocybin and escitalopram for depression on processing of musical surprises", "authors": "Harding R, Singer N, Wall MB, Hendler T, Erritzoe D, Nutt D, Carhart-Harris R, Roseman L.", "abstract": "Psilocybin therapy (PT) is emerging as an effective intervention for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), offering comparable efficacy to conventional treatments like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Music, an emotionally evocative stimulus, provides a valuable tool to explore changes in hedonic and predictive processing mechanisms via expectancy violations, or 'surprises'. This study sought to compare behavioural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) responses to musical surprises in MDD patients treated with either PT or the SSRI, escitalopram. In this secondary analysis of a trial, 41 MDD patients (with usable fMRI data) were randomly assigned to either PT (n = 22) or escitalopram (n = 19) treatment groups. Participants listened to music during fMRI and tracked their emotional experience, both before and after a 6-week intervention. Surprise-related valence and arousal indices were calculated. Musical surprises were entered as regressors for whole-brain and region of interest fMRI analyses. PT caused a greater decrease in anhedonia scores compared with escitalopram. While escitalopram led to reductions in surprise-related affective responses, PT showed no significant change. Escitalopram was associated with increased activation in memory and emotional processing areas during musical surprises (versus control events) when compared with PT. Following PT, there was decreased activation in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and angular gyrus, and greater activation in sensory regions. PT may allow for the subjective response to musical surprises to be maintained through a lasting reduction in the salience of prediction errors, or, alternatively, by increasing hedonic priors. Contrastingly, escitalopram may diminish hedonic priors, highlighting fundamental differences in treatment mechanisms.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2025-04-25", "publication_year": 2025, "doi": "10.1038/s41380-025-03035-8", "pubmed_id": "40281226", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-025-03035-8", "keywords": "Brain, Humans, Citalopram, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Emotions, Auditory Perception, Music, Adult, Middle Aged, Female, Male, Psilocybin, Escitalopram, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, Major Depressive Disorder", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:04", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:01", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"40281226\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Brain Imaging,Mechanism of Action,Receptor Pharmacology,Aging,Emotional Processing", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 710, "title": "Neuroplasticity and psychedelics: A comprehensive examination of classic and non-classic compounds in pre and clinical models.", "normalized_title": "neuroplasticity and psychedelics a comprehensive examination of classic and non classic compounds in pre and clinical models", "authors": "Agnorelli C, Spriggs M, Godfrey K, Sawicka G, Bohl B, Douglass H, Fagiolini A, Parastoo H, Carhart-Harris R, Nutt D, Erritzoe D.", "abstract": "Neuroplasticity, the ability of the nervous system to adapt throughout an organism's lifespan, offers potential as both a biomarker and treatment target for neuropsychiatric conditions. Psychedelics, a burgeoning category of drugs, are increasingly prominent in psychiatric research, prompting inquiries into their mechanisms of action. Distinguishing themselves from traditional medications, psychedelics demonstrate rapid and enduring therapeutic effects after a single or few administrations, believed to stem from their neuroplasticity-enhancing properties. This review examines how classic psychedelics (e.g., LSD, psilocybin, N,N-DMT) and non-classic psychedelics (e.g., ketamine, MDMA) influence neuroplasticity. Drawing from preclinical and clinical studies, we explore the molecular, structural, and functional changes triggered by these agents. Animal studies suggest psychedelics induce heightened sensitivity of the nervous system to environmental stimuli (meta-plasticity), re-opening developmental windows for long-term structural changes (hyper-plasticity), with implications for mood and behavior. Translating these findings to humans faces challenges due to limitations in current imaging techniques. Nonetheless, promising new directions for human research are emerging, including the employment of novel positron-emission tomography (PET) radioligands, non-invasive brain stimulation methods, and multimodal approaches. By elucidating the interplay between psychedelics and neuroplasticity, this review informs the development of targeted interventions for neuropsychiatric disorders and advances understanding of psychedelics' therapeutic potential.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2025-04-01", "publication_year": 2025, "doi": "10.1016/j.neubiorev.2025.106132", "pubmed_id": "40185376", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2025.106132", "keywords": "Brain, Animals, Humans, Hallucinogens, Mental Disorders, Neuronal Plasticity", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:04", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:04", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"40185376\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Neuroplasticity,Brain Imaging,Mechanism of Action,Biomarkers,Aging,Longevity,Review Article,Animal Study", "study_type": "Review Article", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 3104, "title": "The effects of psilocybin therapy versus escitalopram on cognitive bias: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial", "normalized_title": "the effects of psilocybin therapy versus escitalopram on cognitive bias a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial", "authors": "Henry J, Giribaldi B, Nutt DJ, Erritzoe D, Carhart-Harris R, Lyons T.", "abstract": "Background Patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) have more dysfunctional attitudes and pessimism than healthy individuals and these biases are correlated with depression severity. Psilocybin has demonstrated sustained remission in MDD. Methods Secondary analysis of a two-arm, randomized controlled trial ( ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03429075 ) assessing the effect of psilocybin therapy versus escitalopram on ‘maladaptive’ cognitive biases relevant to the construct of depression. Psilocybin group participants received two 25mg doses and escitalopram group received three weeks of daily 10mg, increased to 20mg for a following three weeks. Primary outcomes in this analysis were post-treatment changes in biases at six weeks compared with baseline, as measured using three validated psychological scales. Findings Fifty-nine MDD patients were randomly allocated to the psilocybin (n=30) or escitalopram (n=29) groups. Self-reported optimism showed a large and significant increase six-weeks after psilocybin treatment ( M diff =6·63 p", "journal": "medRxiv", "publication_date": "2025-03-20", "publication_year": 2025, "doi": "10.1101/2025.03.17.25324123", "pubmed_id": null, "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.03.17.25324123", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "medRxiv", "date_added": "2026-07-01 11:03:46", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:01", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"PPR993220\",\"source\":\"PPR\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":\"medRxiv\",\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Randomized Controlled Trial", "study_type": "Randomized Controlled Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "preprint" }, { "id": 816, "title": "Psychedelics and Suicide-Related Outcomes: A Systematic Review.", "normalized_title": "psychedelics and suicide related outcomes a systematic review", "authors": "Meshkat S, Malik T, Zeifman R, Swainson J, Zhang Y, Burback L, Winkler O, Greenshaw AJ, Claire Reichelt A, Vermetten E, Erritzoe D, Jha MK, Dunn W, Jetly R, Husain MI, Bhat V.", "abstract": "Background/Objectives: Suicide accounts for 1.4% of global deaths, and the slow-acting nature of traditional treatments for suicide risk underscores the need for alternatives. Psychedelic therapies may rapidly reduce suicide risk. This systematic review evaluates impact of psychedelic therapies on suicide-related outcomes. Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted up to November 2024. Results: Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluated suicidality as a secondary outcome or safety measure, showing significant reductions in suicidal ideation with psilocybin (three studies) and MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT; one study). Effect sizes, measured by Cohen's d, ranged from =0.52 to 1.25 (p = 0.01 to 0.005), with no safety issues reported. Five additional RCTs assessed suicidality as a safety measure, showing reductions in suicidal ideation with psilocybin (two studies) and MDMA-AT (three studies; p = 0.02 to 0.04). Among 24 non-randomized and cross-sectional studies, results were mixed. Psilocybin (three studies) reduced suicidal ideation, with odds ratios (OR) of 0.40-0.75. MDMA-AT (five studies in PTSD patients) had a pooled effect size of d = 0.61 (95% CI: 0.32-0.89). LSD (six studies) showed increased odds of suicidality, with odds ratios ranging from 1.15 to 2.08. Studies involving DMT (two studies) and multiple psychedelics (three studies) showed mixed results, with DMT studies not showing significant effects on suicidality and studies involving multiple psychedelics showing varying outcomes, some reporting reductions in suicidal ideation and others showing no significant change. Conclusions: The effect of psychedelic therapies on suicide-related outcomes remains inconclusive, highlighting the need for further trials to clarify safety and therapeutic mechanisms.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2025-02-19", "publication_year": 2025, "doi": "10.3390/jcm14051416", "pubmed_id": "40094838", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14051416", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:04", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:03", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"40094838\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "PTSD,Mechanism of Action,Randomized Controlled Trial,Systematic Review,Review Article,Safety", "study_type": "Randomized Controlled Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 845, "title": "Correction: Study Protocol for 'PsilOCD: A Pharmacological Challenge Study Evaluating the Effects of the 5-HT2A Agonist Psilocybin on the Neurocognitive and Clinical Correlates of Compulsivity'.", "normalized_title": "correction study protocol for psilocd a pharmacological challenge study evaluating the effects of the 5 ht2a agonist psilocybin on the neurocognitive and clinical correlates of compulsivity", "authors": "O'Connor S, Godfrey K, Reed S, Peill J, Rohani-Shukla C, Healy M, Robbins T, Frota Lisboa Pereira de Souza A, Tyacke R, Papasyrou M, Stenbæk D, Castro-Rodrigues P, Chiera M, Lee H, Martell J, Carhart-Harris R, Pellegrini L, Fineberg NA, Nutt D, Erritzoe D.", "abstract": "[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.78171.].", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2025-01-29", "publication_year": 2025, "doi": "10.7759/cureus.c209", "pubmed_id": "39897296", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.c209", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:04", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:04", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"39897296\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "OCD,Receptor Pharmacology", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 850, "title": "From relaxed beliefs under psychedelics (REBUS) to revised beliefs after psychedelics (REBAS).", "normalized_title": "from relaxed beliefs under psychedelics rebus to revised beliefs after psychedelics rebas", "authors": "Zeifman RJ, Spriggs MJ, Kettner H, Lyons T, Rosas FE, Mediano PAM, Erritzoe D, Carhart-Harris RL.", "abstract": "The Relaxed Beliefs Under pSychedelics (REBUS) model proposes that serotonergic psychedelics decrease the precision weighting of neurobiologically-encoded beliefs. We conducted a preliminary examination of two psychological assumptions of REBUS: (a) psychedelics foster acute relaxation and post-acute revision of confidence in mental-health-relevant beliefs; which (b) facilitate positive therapeutic outcomes and are associated with the entropy of EEG signals. Healthy individuals (N = 11) were administered 1 mg and 25 mg psilocybin 4-weeks apart. Confidence ratings for personally held beliefs were obtained before, during, and 4-weeks post-psilocybin. Acute entropy and subjective experiences were measured, as was well-being (before and 4-weeks post-psilocybin). Confidence in negative self-beliefs decreased following 25 mg psilocybin. Entropy and subjective effects under 25 mg psilocybin correlated with decreases in negative self-belief confidence (acutely and at 4-weeks). Particularly strong evidence was seen for a relationship between decreases in negative self-belief confidence and increases in well-being. We report the first empirical evidence that the relaxation and revision of negative self-belief confidence mediates psilocybin's positive psychological outcomes, and provide tentative evidence for a neuronal mechanism, namely, increased neuronal entropy. Replication within larger and clinical samples is necessary. We also introduce a new measure for examining the robustness of these preliminary findings and the utility of the REBUS model.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2025-01-28", "publication_year": 2025, "doi": "10.1038/s41598-023-28111-3", "pubmed_id": "39881126", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-28111-3", "keywords": "Humans, Hallucinogens, Electroencephalography, Adult, Female, Male, Young Adult, Psilocybin", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:04", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:02", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"39881126\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Brain Imaging,Wellbeing", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 848, "title": "Study Protocol for 'PsilOCD: A Pharmacological Challenge Study Evaluating the Effects of the 5-HT2A Agonist Psilocybin on the Neurocognitive and Clinical Correlates of Compulsivity'.", "normalized_title": "study protocol for psilocd a pharmacological challenge study evaluating the effects of the 5 ht2a agonist psilocybin on the neurocognitive and clinical correlates of compulsivity", "authors": "O'Connor S, Godfrey K, Reed S, Peill J, Rohani-Shukla C, Healy M, Robbins T, Frota Lisboa Pereira de Souza A, Tyacke R, Papasyrou M, Stenbæk D, Castro-Rodrigues P, Chiera M, Lee H, Martell J, Carhart-Harris R, Pellegrini L, Fineberg NA, Nutt D, Erritzoe D.", "abstract": "BackgroundObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a complex condition marked by persistent distressing thoughts and repetitive behaviours. Despite its prevalence, the mechanisms behind OCD remain elusive, and current treatments are limited. This protocol outlines an investigative study for individuals with OCD, exploring the potential of psilocybin to improve key components of cognition implicated in the disorder. The PsilOCD study strives to assess the effects of low-moderate psilocybin treatment (10 mg) alongside non-interventional therapy on several facets of OCD. The main focus points of PsilOCD are cognitive flexibility, measured with cognitive tests, and neuroplasticity, assessed through electroencephalography (EEG).Methods20 blinded participants with OCD will complete two dosing sessions, separated by four weeks, where they will receive 1 mg of psilocybin on the first and 10 mg on the second. The first dose serves as an active placebo, and the latter is a low-moderate dose that induces relatively mild-moderate emotional and perceptual effects. Participants will be supported by trained psychedelic therapists, who will sit with them during each dosing session and provide virtual preparation and integration sessions over the 12-week study period. Therapeutic support will be the same for both the 1 mg and 10 mg sessions. PsilOCD's primary outcomes include scores in the intradimensional-extradimensional (ID-ED) shift task, which is an established measure of cognitive flexibility, and neuroplasticity as quantified by a visual long-term potentiation (vLTP) task. This task is delivered as part of an EEG paradigm and measures acute quantified changes in neuroplasticity in the brain's visual system. The ID-ED task will be conducted twice, two days after each dosing session, and the EEG recordings will also be taken twice, immediately after each session. Secondary outcome assessments will include OCD and affective symptom severity, as well as an array of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), in the form of questionnaires designed to assess well-being, dissociable and well-established mood-related (affective) measures, and participants' subjective experience of the psilocybin experience.DiscussionThis study's results are expected to offer critical insights into the neural mechanisms underlying the effects of psilocybin-assisted therapy in treating OCD, and whether these correlate with changes in the cognitive features of the condition. As a secondary aim, it will ascertain whether a low, tolerable dose is a feasible and efficacious clinical treatment, and will provide crucial data to guide the design of a potential follow-up randomised control trial (RCT).", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2025-01-28", "publication_year": 2025, "doi": "10.7759/cureus.78171", "pubmed_id": "39882198", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.78171", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:04", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:01", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"39882198\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "OCD,Neuroplasticity,Brain Imaging,Mechanism of Action,Receptor Pharmacology,Wellbeing,Emotional Processing,Randomized Controlled Trial", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 878, "title": "An investigation of acute physiological and psychological moderators of psychedelic-induced personality change among healthy volunteers.", "normalized_title": "an investigation of acute physiological and psychological moderators of psychedelic induced personality change among healthy volunteers", "authors": "Godfrey K, Weiss B, Zhang X, Spriggs M, Peill J, Lyons T, Carhart-Harris R, Erritzoe D.", "abstract": "This study investigated the effects of a single high-dose of psilocybin on personality traits in psychedelic-naïve healthy volunteers. These data originate from a larger within-subjects fixed-order design trial, where a single high dose of psilocybin (25 mg) was administered in a psychologically supportive setting and was compared against a (one-month) prior, 1 mg 'placebo' dose. Personality shifts were assessed by the Big Five Inventory and the Big Five Aspect Scale, while the Altered States of Consciousness questionnaire (5D-ASC) and the Psychological Insight Scale gauged the acute psychological effects of the substance. Electroencephalography provided neurophysiological insights, specifically examining alpha power and Lempel-Ziv complexity (LZc). Results indicated significant reductions in neuroticism one month after 25 mg psilocybin administration, a finding consistent with prior studies. Reductions in neuroticism were moderated by the subjective meaningfulness of the psychedelic experience, as well as by the dread of ego dissolution subscale of the 5D-ASC, suggesting a relationship between acute drug effects and enduring personality alterations. Thus, this study substantiates the role of acute psychedelic states in catalysing lasting personality transformations in a generally beneficial direction, with broader implications for therapeutic applications and understanding of personality dynamics.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2024-12-01", "publication_year": 2024, "doi": "10.1016/j.nsa.2024.104092", "pubmed_id": "40654586", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nsa.2024.104092", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:04", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:02", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"40654586\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Consciousness,Personality Change,Healthy Volunteers", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 3106, "title": "Human brain changes after first psilocybin use", "normalized_title": "human brain changes after first psilocybin use", "authors": "Lyons T, Spriggs M, Kerkelä L, Rosas F, Roseman L, Mediano P, Timmermann C, Oestreich L, Pagni B, Zeifman R, Hampshire A, Trender W, Douglass H, Girn M, Godfrey K, Kettner H, Sharif F, Espasiano L, Gazzaley A, Wall M, Erritzoe D, Nutt D, Carhart-Harris R.", "abstract": "ABSTRACT Psychedelics have robust effects on acute brain function and long-term behavior but whether they also cause enduring functional and anatomical brain changes is unknown. In a placebo-controlled, within-subjects, electroencephalography, and magnetic resonance imaging study in 28 healthy, entirely psychedelic-naive participants, anatomical and functional brain changes were detected from one-hour to one-month after a single high-dose (25 mg) of psilocybin. Increases in cognitive flexibility, psychological insight, and well-being were seen at one-month. Diffusion imaging done before and one-month after 25mg psilocybin revealed decreased axial diffusivity bilaterally in prefrontal-subcortical tracts that correlated with decreased brain network modularity over the same time period. Decreased modularity also correlated with improved well-being. Increased cortical signal entropy at 1- and 2-hours post-dosing predicted improved psychological well-being at one-month. Next-day psychological insight mediated the entropy to well-being relationship. All effects were exclusive to 25mg psilocybin; no effects occurred with a 1mg psilocybin ‘placebo’ dose.", "journal": "bioRxiv", "publication_date": "2024-10-13", "publication_year": 2024, "doi": "10.1101/2024.10.11.617955", "pubmed_id": null, "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.10.11.617955", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "bioRxiv", "date_added": "2026-07-01 11:03:46", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:01", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"PPR924123\",\"source\":\"PPR\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":\"bioRxiv\",\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Brain Imaging,Aging,Wellbeing", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "preprint" }, { "id": 947, "title": "Impact of psilocybin on cognitive function: A systematic review.", "normalized_title": "impact of psilocybin on cognitive function a systematic review", "authors": "Meshkat S, Tello-Gerez TJ, Gholaminezhad F, Dunkley BT, Reichelt AC, Erritzoe D, Vermetten E, Zhang Y, Greenshaw A, Burback L, Winkler O, Jetly R, Mayo LM, Bhat V.", "abstract": "Psilocybin is a classic psychedelic with demonstrated preliminary clinical efficacy in a range of psychiatric disorders. Evaluating the impact of psilocybin on cognitive function is essential to unravel its potential benefits and risks. In this systematic review, we assessed psilocybin's effect on cognitive function through a comprehensive search of electronic databases from inception to January 2024, identifying 20 articles involving 2,959 participants. While 85% of studies were conducted in healthy volunteers, most of these studies (85%) used macrodoses, ranging from 45 μg/kg to 30 mg/70 kg. Various cognitive aspects were evaluated and yielded mixed results. Global cognitive function, and processing speed remained mostly unchanged in healthy individuals; However, a limited number of studies reported improvements in certain areas such as sustained attention, working memory, and executive function especially in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Emotional processing was positively modified, particularly in TRD patients. Psilocybin was observed to enhance emotional empathy without significantly altering cognitive empathy and social cognition. Cognitive flexibility and creative cognition were noted to initially decline but could potentially improve over time. Additionally, with respect to learning and memory skills, psilocybin showed promise in improving specific memory types such as semantic associations and associative learning, while its effects on episodic and verbal memory have been less pronounced compared to other cognitive enhancers. The observed mixed findings underscore the complexity of psilocybin's cognitive influence. Further research is essential to provide a clearer understanding of psilocybin's impact on cognitive domains and to guide the development of safe and effective interventions.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2024-09-30", "publication_year": 2024, "doi": "10.1111/pcn.13741", "pubmed_id": "39354706", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1111/pcn.13741", "keywords": "Humans, Hallucinogens, Cognition, Executive Function, Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant, Psilocybin, Cognitive Dysfunction", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:01", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"39354706\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Emotional Processing,Creativity,Systematic Review,Review Article,Healthy Volunteers,Treatment-Resistant Depression,Safety", "study_type": "Systematic Review", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 997, "title": "Effect of psilocybin versus escitalopram on depression symptom severity in patients with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder: observational 6-month follow-up of a phase 2, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial.", "normalized_title": "effect of psilocybin versus escitalopram on depression symptom severity in patients with moderate to severe major depressive disorder observational 6 month follow up of a phase 2 double blind randomised controlled trial", "authors": "Erritzoe D, Barba T, Greenway KT, Murphy R, Martell J, Giribaldi B, Timmermann C, Murphy-Beiner A, Jones MB, Nutt D, Weiss B, Carhart-Harris R.", "abstract": "BackgroundPsilocybin therapy (PT) produces rapid and persistent antidepressant effects in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the long-term effects of PT have never been compared with gold-standard treatments for MDD such as pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy alone or in combination.MethodsThis is a 6-month follow-up study of a phase 2, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial involving patients with moderate-to-severe MDD. Participants were recruited from a hospital in the UK. Male or female patients with major depressive disorder (DSM-IV), moderate to severe depression (HAM-D ≥17), no MRI or SSRI contraindications, confirmed diagnosis by a GP or mental healthcare professional, aged 18-80, and competent in English were eligible. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either two 25 mg doses of the psychedelic drug psilocybin administered orally combined with psychological support ('psilocybin therapy' or PT) and book-ended by further support or a 6-week course of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram (administered daily at 10 mg for three weeks and 20 mg for the subsequent three weeks) plus matched psychological support ('escitalopram treatment' or ET). The primary outcome measure was change from baseline in the score on the 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS-SR-16) at week 6, which has been reported previously. Herein, we present results at the 6-month follow-up time point. Measures of social functioning, connectedness, and meaning in life constituted the study's secondary outcomes during follow-up. Safety in the follow-up period was not assessed. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03429075.FindingsBetween January 15th, 2019 and March 20th, 2020, 59 patients were enrolled and 30 (11 females [37%] and 19 males [63%]) were assigned to the psilocybin group and 29 (9 females [31%] and 20 males [69%]) to the escitalopram group. 25 participants in the PT group and 21 in the ET group completed the 6-month follow-up. At the 6-month follow-up, both PT and ET conditions yielded sustained improvements in depressive symptom severity. The mean between-condition difference in QIDS-SR-16 scores at 6-months was 1.51 (95% CI: -1.35, 4.38; p = 0.311). Secondary outcomes demonstrated that PT had greater mean between-condition differences in functioning (WSAS: -7.46; 95% CI: -12.4, -2.47; p", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2024-09-20", "publication_year": 2024, "doi": "10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102799", "pubmed_id": "39764567", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102799", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:01", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"39764567\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Receptor Pharmacology,Clinical Trial,Observational Study,Safety,Contraindications", "study_type": "Clinical Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 1074, "title": "Longitudinal experiences of Canadians receiving compassionate access to psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.", "normalized_title": "longitudinal experiences of canadians receiving compassionate access to psilocybin assisted psychotherapy", "authors": "de la Salle S, Kettner H, Thibault Lévesque J, Garel N, Dames S, Patchett-Marble R, Rej S, Gloeckler S, Erritzoe D, Carhart-Harris R, Greenway KT.", "abstract": "Recent clinical trials have found that the serotonergic psychedelic psilocybin effectively alleviates anxiodepressive symptoms in patients with life-threatening illnesses when given in a supportive environment. These outcomes prompted Canada to establish legal pathways for therapeutic access to psilocybin, coupled with psychological support. Despite over one-hundred Canadians receiving compassionate access since 2020, there has been little examination of these 'real-world' patients. We conducted a prospective longitudinal survey which focused on Canadians who were granted Section 56 exemptions for legal psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. Surveys assessing various symptom dimensions were conducted at baseline, two weeks following the session (endpoint), and optionally one day post-session. Participant characteristics were examined using descriptive statistics, and paired sample t-tests were used to quantify changes from baseline to the two-week post-treatment endpoint. Eight participants with Section 56 exemptions (four females, Mage = 52.3 years), all with cancer diagnoses, fully completed baseline and endpoint surveys. Significant improvements in anxiety and depression symptoms, pain, fear of COVID-19, quality of life, and spiritual well-being were observed. Attitudes towards death, medical assistance in dying, and desire for hastened death remained unchanged. While most participants found the psilocybin sessions highly meaningful, if challenging, one reported a substantial decrease in well-being due to the experience. These preliminary data are amongst the first to suggest that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy can produce psychiatric benefits in real-world patients akin to those observed in clinical trials. Limited enrollment and individual reports of negative experiences indicate the need for formal real-world evaluation programs to surveil the ongoing expansion of legal access to psychedelics.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2024-07-16", "publication_year": 2024, "doi": "10.1038/s41598-024-66817-0", "pubmed_id": "39019922", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-66817-0", "keywords": "Humans, Hallucinogens, Longitudinal Studies, Prospective Studies, Depression, Anxiety, Psychotherapy, Quality of Life, Adult, Aged, Middle Aged, Canada, Female, Male, Compassionate Use Trials, Psilocybin, North American People", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:01", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"39019922\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Anxiety,End-of-Life Distress,Chronic Pain,Mechanism of Action,Wellbeing,Spirituality,Clinical Trial,Observational Study", "study_type": "Clinical Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 1111, "title": "Study protocol for \"Psilocybin in patients with fibromyalgia: brain biomarkers of action\".", "normalized_title": "study protocol for psilocybin in patients with fibromyalgia brain biomarkers of action", "authors": "Bornemann J, Close JB, Ahmad K, Barba T, Godfrey K, Macdonald L, Erritzoe D, Nutt D, Carhart-Harris R.", "abstract": "BackgroundChronic pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Fibromyalgia is a particularly debilitating form of widespread chronic pain. Fibromyalgia remains poorly understood, and treatment options are limited or moderately effective at best. Here, we present a protocol for a mechanistic study investigating the effects of psychedelic-assisted-therapy in a fibromyalgia population. The principal focus of this trial is the central mechanism(s) of psilocybin-therapy i.e., in the brain and on associated mental schemata, primarily captured by electroencephalography (EEG) recordings of the acute psychedelic state, plus pre and post Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).MethodsTwenty participants with fibromyalgia will complete 8 study visits over 8 weeks. This will include two dosing sessions where participants will receive psilocybin at least once, with doses varying up to 25mg. Our primary outcomes are 1) Lempel-Ziv complexity (LZc) recorded acutely using EEG, and the 2) the (Brief Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (BEAQ) measured at baseline and primary endpoint. Secondary outcomes will aim to capture broad aspects of the pain experience and related features through neuroimaging, self-report measures, behavioural paradigms, and qualitative interviews. Pain Symptomatology will be measured using the Brief Pain Inventory Interference Subscale (BPI-IS), physical and mental health-related function will be measured using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Further neurobiological investigations will include functional MRI (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (changes from baseline to primary endpoint), and acute changes in pre- vs post-acute spontaneous brain activity - plus event-related potential functional plasticity markers, captured via EEG.DiscussionThe results of this study will provide valuable insight into the brain mechanisms involved in the action of psilocybin-therapy for fibromyalgia with potential implications for the therapeutic action of psychedelic-therapy more broadly. It will also deliver essential data to inform the design of a potential subsequent RCT.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2024-06-03", "publication_year": 2024, "doi": "10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1320780", "pubmed_id": "38983371", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1320780", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:01", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"38983371\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Chronic Pain,Neuroplasticity,Brain Imaging,Mechanism of Action,Biomarkers,Aging,Randomized Controlled Trial,Observational Study", "study_type": "Randomized Controlled Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 1145, "title": "Psychedelics and the 'inner healer': Myth or mechanism?", "normalized_title": "psychedelics and the inner healer myth or mechanism", "authors": "Peill J, Marguilho M, Erritzoe D, Barba T, Greenway KT, Rosas F, Timmermann C, Carhart-Harris R.", "abstract": "BackgroundReference to an intrinsic healing mechanism or an 'inner healer' is commonplace amongst psychedelic drug-using cultures. The 'inner healer' refers to the belief that psychedelic compounds, plants or concoctions have an intrinsically regenerative action on the mind and brain, analogous to intrinsic healing mechanisms within the physical body, for example, after sickness or injury.AimsHere, we sought to test and critique this idea by devising a single subjective rating item pertaining to perceived 'inner healing' effects.MethodsThe item was issued to 59 patients after a single high (25 mg, n = 30) or 'placebo' (1 mg, n = 29) dose of psilocybin in a double-blind randomised controlled trial of psilocybin for depression.ResultsInner healer scores were higher after the high versus placebo dose of psilocybin (t = 3.88, p", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2024-04-11", "publication_year": 2024, "doi": "10.1177/02698811241239206", "pubmed_id": "38605658", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811241239206", "keywords": "Humans, Hallucinogens, Double-Blind Method, Depression, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Adult, Middle Aged, Female, Male, Young Adult, Psilocybin", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:03", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"38605658\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Mechanism of Action,Randomized Controlled Trial", "study_type": "Randomized Controlled Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 1148, "title": "Effects of discontinuation of serotonergic antidepressants prior to psilocybin therapy versus escitalopram for major depression.", "normalized_title": "effects of discontinuation of serotonergic antidepressants prior to psilocybin therapy versus escitalopram for major depression", "authors": "Erritzoe D, Barba T, Spriggs MJ, Rosas FE, Nutt DJ, Carhart-Harris R.", "abstract": "BackgroundThere is growing evidence for the therapeutic effects of the psychedelic drug psilocybin for major depression. However, due to the lack of safety data on combining psilocybin with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and concerns that there may be a negative interaction on efficacy, participants enrolling in psychedelic trials are usually required to discontinue SNRI/SNRIs prior to enrolling.AimsUsing data from a recent clinical trial examining the comparative efficacy the psychedelic drug psilocybin (P) combined with approximately 20 h of psychological support to a 6-week (daily) course of the SSRI escitalopram plus matched psychological support for major depressive disorder, we explored the effects of discontinuing SSRI/SNRIs prior to study enrolment on study outcomes.MethodsExploratory post hoc analyses using linear mixed effects model were performed to investigate the discontinuation effect on various validated depression symptom severity scales and well-being. The impact of SSRI/SNRIs discontinuation on the acute psychedelic experience was also explored.Results/outcomesIn the psilocybin group, there was a reduced treatment effect on all outcome measures for SSRI/SNRIs discontinuers compared with unmedicated patients at trial entry. However, no effects of discontinuation on measures of the acute psychedelic experience were found.ConclusionDiscontinuation of SSRI/SNRIs before psilocybin might diminish response to treatment; however, as we did not test SSRI/SNRI continuation in our trial, we cannot infer such causation. Moreover, the exploratory nature of the analyses makes them hypothesis generating, and not confirmatory. A controlled trial of SSRI/SNRI discontinuation versus continuation prior to psilocybin is urgently required.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2024-03-21", "publication_year": 2024, "doi": "10.1177/02698811241237870", "pubmed_id": "38520045", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811241237870", "keywords": "Humans, Hallucinogens, Treatment Outcome, Drug Therapy, Combination, Adult, Middle Aged, Female, Male, Psilocybin, Escitalopram, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, Major Depressive Disorder", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:01", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"38520045\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Receptor Pharmacology,Wellbeing,Clinical Trial,Safety,Drug Interactions", "study_type": "Clinical Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 1135, "title": "Predicting the outcome of psilocybin treatment for depression from baseline fMRI functional connectivity.", "normalized_title": "predicting the outcome of psilocybin treatment for depression from baseline fmri functional connectivity", "authors": "Copa D, Erritzoe D, Giribaldi B, Nutt D, Carhart-Harris R, Tagliazucchi E.", "abstract": "BackgroundPsilocybin is a serotonergic psychedelic drug under assessment as a potential therapy for treatment-resistant and major depression. Heterogeneous treatment responses raise interest in predicting the outcome from baseline data.MethodsA machine learning pipeline was implemented to investigate baseline resting-state functional connectivity measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) as a predictor of symptom severity in psilocybin monotherapy for treatment-resistant depression (16 patients administered two 5 mg capsules followed by 25 mg, separated by one week). Generalizability was tested in a sample of 22 patients who participated in a psilocybin vs. escitalopram trial for moderate-to-severe major depression (two separate doses of 25 mg of psilocybin 3 weeks apart plus 6 weeks of daily placebo vs. two separate doses of 1 mg of psilocybin 3 weeks apart plus 6 weeks of daily oral escitalopram). The analysis was repeated using both samples combined.ResultsFunctional connectivity of visual, default mode and executive networks predicted early symptom improvement, while the salience network predicted responders up to 24 weeks after treatment (accuracy≈0.9). Generalization performance was borderline significant. Consistent results were obtained from the combined sample analysis. Fronto-occipital and fronto-temporal coupling predicted early and late symptom reduction, respectively.LimitationsThe number of participants and differences between the two datasets limit the generalizability of the findings, while the lack of a placebo arm limits their specificity.ConclusionsBaseline neurophysiological measurements can predict the outcome of psilocybin treatment for depression. Future research based on larger datasets should strive to assess the generalizability of these predictions.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2024-02-26", "publication_year": 2024, "doi": "10.1016/j.jad.2024.02.089", "pubmed_id": "38423367", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2024.02.089", "keywords": "Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Depression, Psilocybin, Escitalopram, Major Depressive Disorder", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:01", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"38423367\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Brain Imaging,Aging,Treatment-Resistant Depression", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 1233, "title": "Effects of DMT on mental health outcomes in healthy volunteers.", "normalized_title": "effects of dmt on mental health outcomes in healthy volunteers", "authors": "Timmermann C, Zeifman RJ, Erritzoe D, Nutt DJ, Carhart-Harris RL.", "abstract": "Psilocybin, a serotonergic psychedelic, is being increasingly researched in clinical studies for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. The relatively lengthy duration of oral psilocybin's acute effects (4-6 h) may have pragmatic and cost-effectiveness limitations. Here, we explored the effects of intravenous (IV) N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a closely related, but faster-acting psychedelic intervention, on mental health outcomes in healthy volunteers. Data is reported from two separate analyses: (1) A comparison of mental health-related variables 1 week after 7, 14, 18, and 20 mg of IV DMT versus IV saline placebo (n = 13) and, (2) A prospective dataset assessing effects before versus 2 weeks after 20 mg of IV DMT (n = 17). Mental health outcomes included measures of depression severity (QIDS-SR16), trait anxiety (STAI-T), Neuroticism (NEO-FFI), wellbeing (WHO-5), meaning in life (MLQ), optimism (LOT-R), and gratitude (GQ-6). In both the prospective and placebo-controlled datasets, significant improvements in scores of depression were found 1-2 weeks after DMT administration. Significant reductions in trait Neuroticism were only found for the placebo-controlled sample. Finally, changes in depression and trait anxiety correlated with acute peak experiences (assessed via 'Oceanic Boundlessness'). While the use of two separate cohorts in pooled analysis limits the generalizability of these correlational findings, these results suggest that DMT may reduce depressive symptomatology by inducing peak experiences. The short half-life of IV DMT and its potential for flexible dosing via controlled infusions makes it an appealing candidate for psychedelic medicine. Further research in clinical samples is needed to corroborate the therapeutic potential of DMT.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2024-02-06", "publication_year": 2024, "doi": "10.1038/s41598-024-53363-y", "pubmed_id": "38326357", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-53363-y", "keywords": "Humans, N,N-Dimethyltryptamine, Hallucinogens, Prospective Studies, Healthy Volunteers, Psilocybin, Outcome Assessment, Health Care", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:05", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"38326357\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Anxiety,Wellbeing,Observational Study,Healthy Volunteers", "study_type": "Observational Study", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 1231, "title": "Psychedelics and sexual functioning: a mixed-methods study.", "normalized_title": "psychedelics and sexual functioning a mixed methods study", "authors": "Barba T, Kettner H, Radu C, Peill JM, Roseman L, Nutt DJ, Erritzoe D, Carhart-Harris R, Giribaldi B.", "abstract": "Do psychedelics affect sexual functioning postacutely? Anecdotal and qualitative evidence suggests they do, but this has never been formally tested. While sexual functioning and satisfaction are generally regarded as an important aspect of human wellbeing, sexual dysfunction is a common symptom of mental health disorders. It is also a common side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a first line treatment for depression. The aim of the present paper was to investigate the post-acute effects of psychedelics on self-reported sexual functioning, combining data from two independent studies, one large and naturalistic and the other a smaller but controlled clinical trial. Naturalistic use of psychedelics was associated with improvements in several facets of sexual functioning and satisfaction, including improved pleasure and communication during sex, satisfaction with one's partner and physical appearance. Convergent results were found in a controlled trial of psilocybin therapy versus an SSRI, escitalopram, for depression. In this trial, patients treated with psilocybin reported positive changes in sexual functioning after treatment, while patients treated with escitalopram did not. Despite focusing on different populations and settings, this is the first research study to quantitively investigate the effects of psychedelics on sexual functioning. Results imply a potential positive effect on post-acute sexual functioning and highlight the need for more research on this.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2024-02-06", "publication_year": 2024, "doi": "10.1038/s41598-023-49817-4", "pubmed_id": "38326446", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-49817-4", "keywords": "Humans, Hallucinogens, Sexual Behavior, Psilocybin, Escitalopram, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:04", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"38326446\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Receptor Pharmacology,Wellbeing,Clinical Trial,Adverse Events", "study_type": "Clinical Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 1122, "title": "Assessing expectancy and suggestibility in a trial of escitalopram v. psilocybin for depression.", "normalized_title": "assessing expectancy and suggestibility in a trial of escitalopram v psilocybin for depression", "authors": "Szigeti B, Weiss B, Rosas FE, Erritzoe D, Nutt D, Carhart-Harris R.", "abstract": "BackgroundTo investigate the association between pre-trial expectancy, suggestibility, and response to treatment in a trial of escitalopram and investigational drug, COMP360, psilocybin, in the treatment of major depressive disorder (ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT03429075).MethodsWe used data (n = 55) from our recent double-blind, parallel-group, randomized head-to-head comparison trial of escitalopram and investigational drug, COMP360, psilocybin. Mixed linear models were used to investigate the association between pre-treatment efficacy-related expectations, as well as baseline trait suggestibility and absorption, and therapeutic response to both escitalopram and COMP360 psilocybin.ResultsPatients had significantly higher expectancy for psilocybin relative to escitalopram; however, expectancy for escitalopram was associated with improved therapeutic outcomes to escitalopram, expectancy for psilocybin was not predictive of response to psilocybin. Separately, we found that pre-treatment trait suggestibility was associated with therapeutic response in the psilocybin arm, but not in the escitalopram arm.ConclusionsOverall, our results suggest that psychedelic therapy may be less vulnerable to expectancy biases than previously suspected. The relationship between baseline trait suggestibility and response to psilocybin therapy implies that highly suggestible individuals may be primed for response to this treatment.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2024-01-21", "publication_year": 2024, "doi": "10.1017/s0033291723003653", "pubmed_id": "38247730", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291723003653", "keywords": "Humans, Citalopram, Hallucinogens, Treatment Outcome, Suggestion, Double-Blind Method, Adult, Middle Aged, Female, Male, Anticipation, Psychological, Psilocybin, Escitalopram, Major Depressive Disorder", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:01", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"38247730\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression", "study_type": "Clinical Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 1286, "title": "Psilocybin and Other Classic Psychedelics in Depression.", "normalized_title": "psilocybin and other classic psychedelics in depression", "authors": "Nutt DJ, Peill JM, Weiss B, Godfrey K, Carhart-Harris RL, Erritzoe D.", "abstract": "Psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin and ketamine are returning to clinical research and intervention across several disorders including the treatment of depression. This chapter focusses on psychedelics that specifically target the 5-HT2A receptor such as psilocybin and DMT. These produce plasma-concentration related psychological effects such as hallucinations and out of body experiences, insightful and emotional breakthroughs as well as mystical-type experiences. When coupled with psychological support, effects can produce a rapid improvement in mood among people with depression that can last for months. In this chapter, we summarise the scientific studies to date that explore the use of psychedelics in depressed individuals, highlighting key clinical, psychological and neuroimaging features of psychedelics that may account for their therapeutic effects. These include alterations in brain entropy that disrupt fixed negative ruminations, a period of post-treatment increased cognitive flexibility, and changes in self-referential psychological processes. Finally, we propose that the brain mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of serotonergic psychedelics might be distinct from those underlying classical serotonin reuptake-blocking antidepressants.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2023-12-31", "publication_year": 2023, "doi": "10.1007/7854_2023_451", "pubmed_id": "37955822", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2023_451", "keywords": "Brain, Humans, Hallucinogens, Depression, Psilocybin", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:01", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"37955822\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Brain Imaging,Mechanism of Action,Receptor Pharmacology,Aging,Emotional Processing,Mystical Experience", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 1263, "title": "Knowledge gaps in psychedelic medicalisation: Preclinical and neuroimaging mechanisms.", "normalized_title": "knowledge gaps in psychedelic medicalisation preclinical and neuroimaging mechanisms", "authors": "McCulloch DE, Lopez JP, Dalla C, Castrén E, Erritzoe D, Frokjaer VG, Lundberg J, Preller KH, Fisher PM, Knudsen GM.", "abstract": "Classical psychedelic drugs, e.g., psilocybin and LSD, stimulate the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) and have recently been intensely investigated for their clinical effects in various brain disorders. At the ECNP \"New Frontiers meeting\" in March 2023, scientific experts in psychedelics met to identify key knowledge gaps in the mechanism of action of psychedelics as investigated using preclinical models and clinical neuroimaging. Key themes included the development of appropriate behavioural models for measuring acute and persisting effects, dose optimisation, molecular mechanisms of action, sex differences, and the acute and persisting effects of psychedelics on neurotransmitter release and functional brain activity.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2023-12-14", "publication_year": 2023, "doi": "10.1016/j.nsa.2023.103929", "pubmed_id": "40656118", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nsa.2023.103929", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:04", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"40656118\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Brain Imaging,Mechanism of Action,Receptor Pharmacology,Aging,Animal Study", "study_type": "Animal Study", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 3728, "title": "Neuroimaging in psychedelic drug development: past, present, and future.", "normalized_title": "neuroimaging in psychedelic drug development past present and future", "authors": "Wall MB, Harding R, Zafar R, Rabiner EA, Nutt DJ, Erritzoe D.", "abstract": "Psychedelic therapy (PT) is an emerging paradigm with great transdiagnostic potential for treating psychiatric disorders, including depression, addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, and potentially others. 'Classic' serotonergic psychedelics, such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), which have a key locus of action at the 5-HT2A receptor, form the main focus of this movement, but substances including ketamine, 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and ibogaine also hold promise. The modern phase of development of these treatment modalities in the early 21st century has occurred concurrently with the wider use of advanced human neuroscientific research methods; principally neuroimaging. This can potentially enable assessment of drug and therapy brain effects with greater precision and quantification than any previous novel development in psychiatric pharmacology. We outline the major trends in existing data and suggest the modern development of PT has benefitted greatly from the use of neuroimaging. Important gaps in existing knowledge are identified, namely: the relationship between acute drug effects and longer-term (clinically-relevant) effects, the precise characterisation of effects at the 5-HT2A receptor and relationships with functional/clinical effects, and the possible impact of these compounds on neuroplasticity. A road-map for future research is laid out, outlining clinical studies which will directly address these three questions, principally using combined Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) methods, plus other adjunct techniques. Multimodal (PET/MRI) studies using modern PET techniques such as the 5-HT2A-selective ligand [11 C]Cimbi-36 (and other ligands sensitive to neuroplasticity changes) alongside MRI measures of brain function would provide a 'molecular-functional-clinical bridge' in understanding. Such results would help to resolve some of these questions and provide a firmer foundation for the ongoing development of PT.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2023-09-26", "publication_year": 2023, "doi": "10.1038/s41380-023-02271-0", "pubmed_id": "37759038", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-023-02271-0", "keywords": "Humans, Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A, Hallucinogens, Neuroimaging, Psilocybin", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 11:08:42", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:05", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"37759038\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,PTSD,Addiction,Neuroplasticity,Brain Imaging,Pharmacology,Receptor Pharmacology,Aging", "study_type": "Clinical Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 1407, "title": "Co-use of MDMA with psilocybin/LSD may buffer against challenging experiences and enhance positive experiences.", "normalized_title": "co use of mdma with psilocybin lsd may buffer against challenging experiences and enhance positive experiences", "authors": "Zeifman RJ, Kettner H, Pagni BA, Mallard A, Roberts DE, Erritzoe D, Ross S, Carhart-Harris RL.", "abstract": "Psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) experiences can range from very positive to highly challenging (e.g., fear, grief, and paranoia). These challenging experiences contribute to hesitancy toward psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy among health care providers and patients. Co-use of 3,4-Methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA) with psilocybin/LSD anecdotally reduces challenging experiences and enhances positive experiences associated with psilocybin/LSD. However, limited research has investigated the acute effects of co-use of MDMA and psilocybin/LSD. In a prospective convenience sample (N = 698) of individuals with plans to use psilocybin/LSD, we examined whether co-use of MDMA with psilocybin/LSD (n = 27) is associated with differences in challenging or positive experiences. Challenging experiences were measured using the Challenging Experiences Questionnaire and positive experiences were measured using the Mystical Experience Questionnaire and single-item measures of self-compassion, compassion, love, and gratitude. Potentially confounding variables were identified and included as covariates. Relative to psilocybin/LSD alone, co-use of psilocybin/LSD with a self-reported low (but not medium-high) dose of MDMA was associated with significantly less intense total challenging experiences, grief, and fear, as well as increased self-compassion, love and gratitude. Co-use of psilocybin/LSD and MDMA was not associated with differences in mystical-type experiences or compassion. Findings suggest co-use of MDMA with psilocybin/LSD may buffer against some aspects of challenging experiences and enhance certain positive experiences. Limitations include use of a convenience sample, small sample size, and non-experimental design. Additional studies (including controlled dose-response studies) that examine the effects and safety of co-administering MDMA with psilocybin/LSD (in healthy controls and clinical samples) are warranted and may assist the development of personalized treatments.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2023-08-21", "publication_year": 2023, "doi": "10.1038/s41598-023-40856-5", "pubmed_id": "37608057", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-40856-5", "keywords": "Humans, Methamphetamine, Hallucinogens, Prospective Studies, Fear, Psilocybin", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:01", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"37608057\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Mystical Experience,Safety", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 1390, "title": "Assessing the risk of symptom worsening in psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression: A systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.", "normalized_title": "assessing the risk of symptom worsening in psilocybin assisted therapy for depression a systematic review and individual participant data meta analysis", "authors": "Simonsson O, Carlbring P, Carhart-Harris R, Davis AK, Nutt DJ, Griffiths RR, Erritzoe D, Goldberg SB.", "abstract": "We conducted a meta-analysis using individual participant data from three, two-dose psilocybin trials for depression (N = 102) with the aim of assessing the risk of symptom worsening. Clinically significant symptom worsening occurred for a minority of participants in the psilocybin and escitalopram conditions (∼10%) and for a majority of participants in the waitlist condition (63.6%). Using data from the two trials with control arms, the psilocybin arm showed a lower likelihood of symptom worsening versus waitlist, and no difference in the likelihood of symptom worsening versus escitalopram. The limitation of a relatively small sample size should be addressed in future studies.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2023-07-22", "publication_year": 2023, "doi": "10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115349", "pubmed_id": "37523886", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115349", "keywords": "Humans, Hallucinogens, Sample Size, Depression, Symptom Flare Up, Psilocybin, Escitalopram", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:01", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"37523886\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Meta-Analysis,Systematic Review,Review Article,Safety", "study_type": "Meta-Analysis", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 1293, "title": "Personality Change in a Trial of Psilocybin Therapy vs Escitalopram Treatment for Depression - CORRIGENDUM.", "normalized_title": "personality change in a trial of psilocybin therapy vs escitalopram treatment for depression corrigendum", "authors": "Weiss B, Ginige I, Shannon L, Giribaldi B, Murphy-Beiner A, Murphy R, Baker-Jones M, Martell J, Nutt DJ, Carhart-Harris RL, Erritzoe D.", "abstract": "", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2023-07-18", "publication_year": 2023, "doi": "10.1017/s0033291723002039", "pubmed_id": "37466289", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291723002039", "keywords": "Humans, Citalopram, Hallucinogens, Depression, Personality, Personality Disorders, Psilocybin, Escitalopram", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:05", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"37466289\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Personality Change", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 3153, "title": "Reduced brain responsiveness to emotional stimuli with escitalopram but not psilocybin therapy for depression", "normalized_title": "reduced brain responsiveness to emotional stimuli with escitalopram but not psilocybin therapy for depression", "authors": "Wall MB, Demetriou L, Giribaldi B, Roseman L, Ertl N, Erritzoe D, Nutt DJ, Carhart-Harris RL.", "abstract": "Psilocybin therapy is an emerging intervention for depression that may be at least as effective as standard first-line treatments i.e., Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). Here we assess neural responses to emotional faces (fear, happy, and neutral) using Blood Oxygen-Level Dependent (BOLD) functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) in two groups with major depressive disorder: 1) a ‘psilocybin group’ that received two dosing sessions with 25mg plus six weeks of daily placebo, and 2) an ‘escitalopram group’ that received six weeks of the SSRI escitalopram, plus two dosing sessions with an inactive/placebo dose of 1mg psilocybin. Both groups had an equal amount of psychological support throughout. An emotional face fMRI paradigm was completed at baseline (pre-treatment) and at the six-week post-treatment primary endpoint (three weeks following psilocybin dosing sessions). An analysis examining the interaction between patient group (psilocybin vs. escitalopram) and time-point (pre-vs. post-treatment) showed a robust effect in a distributed network of cortical brain regions. Follow-up analyses showed that post-treatment BOLD responses to emotional faces of all types were significantly reduced in the escitalopram group, with no change, or even a slight increase, in the psilocybin group. Specific analyses of the amygdala showed a reduction of response to fear faces in the escitalopram group, but no effects for the psilocybin group. Despite large improvements in depressive symptoms in the psilocybin group, psilocybin-therapy had only a minor effect on brain responsiveness to emotional stimuli. We suggest that reduced emotional responsiveness may be a biomarker of SSRIs’ antidepressant action that is not shared by psilocybin-therapy.", "journal": "medRxiv", "publication_date": "2023-06-02", "publication_year": 2023, "doi": "10.1101/2023.05.29.23290667", "pubmed_id": null, "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.05.29.23290667", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "medRxiv", "date_added": "2026-07-01 11:03:47", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:01", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"PPR670172\",\"source\":\"PPR\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":\"medRxiv\",\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Brain Imaging,Receptor Pharmacology,Biomarkers,Aging,Emotional Processing,Drug Interactions", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "preprint" }, { "id": 1295, "title": "Personality change in a trial of psilocybin therapy v. escitalopram treatment for depression.", "normalized_title": "personality change in a trial of psilocybin therapy v escitalopram treatment for depression", "authors": "Weiss B, Ginige I, Shannon L, Giribaldi B, Murphy-Beiner A, Murphy R, Baker-Jones M, Martell J, Nutt DJ, Carhart-Harris RL, Erritzoe D.", "abstract": "BackgroundPsilocybin Therapy (PT) is being increasingly studied as a psychiatric intervention. Personality relates to mental health and can be used to probe the nature of PT's therapeutic action.MethodsIn a phase 2, double-blind, randomized, active comparator controlled trial involving patients with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder, we compared psilocybin with escitalopram, over a core 6-week trial period. Five-Factor model personality domains, Big Five Aspect Scale Openness aspects, Absorption, and Impulsivity were measured at Baseline, Week 6, and Month 6 follow-up.ResultsPT was associated with decreases in neuroticism (B = -0.63), introversion (B = -0.38), disagreeableness (B = -0.47), impulsivity (B = -0.40), and increases in absorption (B = 0.32), conscientiousness (B = 0.30), and openness (B = 0.23) at week 6, with neuroticism (B = -0.47) and disagreeableness (B = -0.41) remaining decreased at month 6. Escitalopram Treatment (ET) was associated with decreases in neuroticism (B = -0.38), disagreeableness (B = -0.26), impulsivity (B = -0.35), and increases in openness (B = 0.28) at week 6, with neuroticism (B = -0.46) remaining decreased at month 6. No significant between-condition differences were observed.ConclusionsPersonality changes across both conditions were in a direction consistent with improved mental health. With the possible exception of trait absorption, there were no compelling between-condition differences warranting conclusions regarding a selective action of PT (v. ET) on personality; however, post-ET changes in personality were significantly moderated by pre-trial positive expectancy for escitalopram, whereas expectancy did not moderate response to PT.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2023-06-01", "publication_year": 2023, "doi": "10.1017/s0033291723001514", "pubmed_id": "37264814", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291723001514", "keywords": "Humans, Depression, Personality, Psilocybin, Neuroticism, Escitalopram, Major Depressive Disorder", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:02", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"37264814\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Personality Change,Clinical Trial", "study_type": "Clinical Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 1449, "title": "A critical evaluation of QIDS-SR-16 using data from a trial of psilocybin therapy versus escitalopram treatment for depression.", "normalized_title": "a critical evaluation of qids sr 16 using data from a trial of psilocybin therapy versus escitalopram treatment for depression", "authors": "Weiss B, Erritzoe D, Giribaldi B, Nutt DJ, Carhart-Harris RL.", "abstract": "BackgroundIn a recent clinical trial examining the comparative efficacy of psilocybin therapy (PT) versus escitalopram treatment (ET) for major depressive disorder, 14 of 16 major efficacy outcome measures yielded results that favored PT, but the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, Self-Report, 16 items (QIDS-SR16) did not.AimsThe present study aims to (1) rationally and psychometrically account for discrepant results between outcome measures and (2) to overcome psychometric problems particular to individual measures by re-examining between-condition differences in depressive response using all outcome measures at item-, facet-, and factor-levels of analysis.MethodFour depression measures were compared on the basis of their validity for examining differences in depressive response between PT and ET conditions.Results/outcomesPossible reasons for discrepant findings on the QIDS-SR16 include its higher variance, imprecision due to compound items and whole-scale and unidimensional sum-scoring, vagueness in the phrasing of scoring options for items, and its lack of focus on a core depression factor. Reanalyzing the trial data at item-, facet-, and factor-levels yielded results suggestive of PT's superior efficacy in reducing depressed mood, anhedonia, and a core depression factor, along with specific symptoms such as sexual dysfunction.Conclusion/interpretationOur results raise concerns about the adequacy of the QIDS-SR16 for measuring depression, as well as the practice of relying on individual scales that tend not to capture the multidimensional structure or core of depression. Using an alternative approach that captures depression more granularly and comprehensively yielded specific insight into areas where PT therapy may be particularly useful to patients and clinicians.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2023-04-24", "publication_year": 2023, "doi": "10.1177/02698811231167848", "pubmed_id": "37122239", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811231167848", "keywords": "Humans, Reproducibility of Results, Depression, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Clinical Trials as Topic, Psilocybin, Escitalopram, Major Depressive Disorder", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:03", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"37122239\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Clinical Trial,Healthcare Workers", "study_type": "Clinical Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 1528, "title": "Canalization and plasticity in psychopathology.", "normalized_title": "canalization and plasticity in psychopathology", "authors": "Carhart-Harris RL, Chandaria S, Erritzoe DE, Gazzaley A, Girn M, Kettner H, Mediano PAM, Nutt DJ, Rosas FE, Roseman L, Timmermann C, Weiss B, Zeifman RJ, Friston KJ.", "abstract": "This theoretical article revives a classical bridging construct, canalization, to describe a new model of a general factor of psychopathology. To achieve this, we have distinguished between two types of plasticity, an early one that we call 'TEMP' for 'Temperature or Entropy Mediated Plasticity', and another, we call 'canalization', which is close to Hebbian plasticity. These two forms of plasticity can be most easily distinguished by their relationship to 'precision' or inverse variance; TEMP relates to increased model variance or decreased precision, whereas the opposite is true for canalization. TEMP also subsumes increased learning rate, (Ising) temperature and entropy. Dictionary definitions of 'plasticity' describe it as the property of being easily shaped or molded; TEMP is the better match for this. Importantly, we propose that 'pathological' phenotypes develop via mechanisms of canalization or increased model precision, as a defensive response to adversity and associated distress or dysphoria. Our model states that canalization entrenches in psychopathology, narrowing the phenotypic state-space as the agent develops expertise in their pathology. We suggest that TEMP - combined with gently guiding psychological support - can counter canalization. We address questions of whether and when canalization is adaptive versus maladaptive, furnish our model with references to basic and human neuroscience, and offer concrete experiments and measures to test its main hypotheses and implications. This article is part of the Special Issue on \"National Institutes of Health Psilocybin Research Speaker Series\".", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2022-12-26", "publication_year": 2022, "doi": "10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109398", "pubmed_id": "36584883", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109398", "keywords": "Humans, Learning, Phenotype, United States, Major Depressive Disorder", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:05", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"36584883\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Neuroplasticity,Mechanism of Action", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 1602, "title": "Body mass index (BMI) does not predict responses to psilocybin.", "normalized_title": "body mass index bmi does not predict responses to psilocybin", "authors": "Spriggs MJ, Giribaldi B, Lyons T, Rosas FE, Kärtner LS, Buchborn T, Douglass HM, Roseman L, Timmermann C, Erritzoe D, Nutt DJ, Carhart-Harris RL.", "abstract": "BackgroundPsilocybin is a serotonin type 2A (5-HT2A) receptor agonist and naturally occurring psychedelic. 5-HT2A receptor density is known to be associated with body mass index (BMI), however, the impact of this on psilocybin therapy has not been explored. While body weight-adjusted dosing is widely used, this imposes a practical and financial strain on the scalability of psychedelic therapy. This gap between evidence and practice is caused by the absence of studies clarifying the relationship between BMI, the acute psychedelic experience and long-term psychological outcomes.MethodData were pooled across three studies using a fixed 25 mg dose of psilocybin delivered in a therapeutic context to assess whether BMI predicts characteristics of the acute experience and changes in well-being 2 weeks later. Supplementing frequentist analysis with Bayes Factors has enabled for conclusions to be drawn regarding the null hypothesis.ResultsResults support the null hypothesis that BMI does not predict overall intensity of the altered state, mystical experiences, perceptual changes or emotional breakthroughs during the acute experience. There was weak evidence for greater 'dread of ego dissolution' in participants with lower BMI, however, further analysis suggested BMI did not meaningfully add to the combination of the other covariates (age, sex and study). While mystical-type experiences and emotional breakthroughs were strong predictors of improvements in well-being, BMI was not.ConclusionsThese findings have important implications for our understanding of pharmacological and extra-pharmacological contributors to psychedelic-assisted therapy and for the standardization of a fixed therapeutic dose in psychedelic-assisted therapy.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2022-11-13", "publication_year": 2022, "doi": "10.1177/02698811221131994", "pubmed_id": "36373934", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811221131994", "keywords": "Humans, Serotonin, Hallucinogens, Body Mass Index, Bayes Theorem, Emotions, Psilocybin", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:02", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"36373934\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Receptor Pharmacology,Wellbeing,Emotional Processing,Mystical Experience", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 3730, "title": "A Bayesian Reanalysis of a Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression.", "normalized_title": "a bayesian reanalysis of a trial of psilocybin versus escitalopram for depression", "authors": "Nayak SM, Bari BA, Yaden DB, Spriggs MJ, Rosas FE, Peill JM, Giribaldi B, Erritzoe D, Nutt DJ, Carhart-Harris R.", "abstract": "ObjectivesTo perform a Bayesian reanalysis of a recent trial of psilocybin (COMP360) versus escitalopram for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in order to provide a more informative interpretation of the indeterminate outcome of a previous frequentist analysis.DesignReanalysis of a two-arm double-blind placebo controlled trial.ParticipantsFifty-nine patients with MDD.InterventionsTwo doses of psilocybin 25mg and daily oral placebo versus daily escitalopram and 2 doses of psilocybin 1mg, with psychological support for both groups.Outcome measuresQuick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS SR-16), and three other depression scales as secondary outcomes: HAMD-17, MADRS, and BDI-1A.ResultsUsing Bayes factors and 'skeptical priors' which bias estimates towards zero, for the hypothesis that psilocybin is superior by any margin, we found indeterminate evidence for QIDS SR-16, strong evidence for BDI-1A and MADRS, and extremely strong evidence for HAMD-17. For the stronger hypothesis that psilocybin is superior by a 'clinically meaningful amount' (using literature defined values of the minimally clinically important difference), we found moderate evidence against it for QIDS SR-16, indeterminate evidence for BDI-1A and MADRS, and moderate evidence supporting it for HAMD-17. Furthermore, across the board we found extremely strong evidence for psilocybin's non-inferiority versus escitalopram. These findings were robust to prior sensitivity analysis.ConclusionsThis Bayesian reanalysis supports the following inferences: 1) that psilocybin did indeed outperform escitalopram in this trial, but not to an extent that was clinically meaningful--and 2) that psilocybin is almost certainly non-inferior to escitalopram. The present results provide a more precise and nuanced interpretation to previously reported results from this trial, and support the need for further research into the relative efficacy of psilocybin therapy for depression with respect to current leading treatments.Trial registration numberNCT03429075.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2022-10-27", "publication_year": 2022, "doi": "10.1089/psymed.2022.0002", "pubmed_id": "37337526", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1089/psymed.2022.0002", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 11:08:42", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:01", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"37337526\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 1698, "title": "Effects of psilocybin versus escitalopram on rumination and thought suppression in depression.", "normalized_title": "effects of psilocybin versus escitalopram on rumination and thought suppression in depression", "authors": "Barba T, Buehler S, Kettner H, Radu C, Cunha BG, Nutt DJ, Erritzoe D, Roseman L, Carhart-Harris R.", "abstract": "BackgroundMajor depressive disorder is often associated with maladaptive coping strategies, including rumination and thought suppression.AimsTo assess the comparative effect of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor escitalopram, and the serotonergic psychedelic psilocybin (COMP360), on rumination and thought suppression in major depressive disorder.MethodBased on data derived from a randomised clinical trial (N = 59), we performed exploratory analyses on the impact of escitalopram versus psilocybin (i.e. condition) on rumination and thought suppression from 1 week before to 6 weeks after treatment inception (i.e. time), using mixed analysis of variance. Condition responder versus non-responder subgroup analyses were also done, using the standard definition of ≥50% symptom reduction.ResultsA time×condition interaction was found for rumination (F(1, 56) = 4.58, P = 0.037) and thought suppression (F(1,57) = 5.88, P = 0.019), with post hoc tests revealing significant decreases exclusively in the psilocybin condition. When analysing via response, a significant time×condition×response interaction for thought suppression (F(1,54) = 8.42, P = 0.005) and a significant time×response interaction for rumination (F(1,54) = 23.50, P < 0.001) were evident. Follow-up tests revealed that decreased thought suppression was exclusive to psilocybin responders, whereas rumination decreased in both responder groups. In the psilocybin arm, decreases in rumination and thought suppression correlated with ego dissolution and session-linked psychological insight.ConclusionsThese data provide further evidence on the therapeutic mechanisms of psilocybin and escitalopram in the treatment of depression.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2022-09-05", "publication_year": 2022, "doi": "10.1192/bjo.2022.565", "pubmed_id": "36065128", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2022.565", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:02", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"36065128\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Mechanism of Action,Receptor Pharmacology,Clinical Trial,Drug Interactions", "study_type": "Clinical Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 1719, "title": "Antidepressant effects of a psychedelic experience in a large prospective naturalistic sample.", "normalized_title": "antidepressant effects of a psychedelic experience in a large prospective naturalistic sample", "authors": "Nygart VA, Pommerencke LM, Haijen E, Kettner H, Kaelen M, Mortensen EL, Nutt DJ, Carhart-Harris RL, Erritzoe D", "abstract": "Over the last two decades, a number of studies have highlighted the potential of psychedelic therapy. However, questions remain to what extend these results translate to naturalistic samples, and how contextual factors and the acute psychedelic experience relate to improvements in affective symptoms following psychedelic experiences outside labs/clinics. The present study sought to address this knowledge gap. Here, we aimed to investigate changes in anxiety and depression scores before versus after psychedelic experiences in naturalistic contexts, and how various pharmacological, extrapharmacological and experience factors related to outcomes. Individuals who planned to undergo a psychedelic experience were enrolled in this online survey study. Depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and 2 and 4 weeks post-psychedelic experience, with self-rated Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS-SR-16) as the primary outcome. To facilitate clinical translation, only participants with depressive symptoms at baseline were included. Sample sizes for the four time points were = 302, = 182, = 155 and = 109, respectively. Relative to baseline, reductions in depressive symptoms were observed at 2 and 4 weeks. A medicinal motive, previous psychedelic use, drug dose and the type of acute psychedelic experience (i.e. specifically, having an emotional breakthrough) were all significantly associated with changes in self-rated QIDS-SR-16. These results lend support to therapeutic potential of psychedelics and highlight the influence of pharmacological and non-pharmacological factors in determining response. Mindful of a potential sample and attrition bias, further controlled and observational longitudinal studies are needed to test the replicability of these findings.", "journal": "Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)", "publication_date": "2022-07-31", "publication_year": 2022, "doi": "10.1177/02698811221101061", "pubmed_id": "35924888", "source_url": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35924888/", "keywords": "Psychedelics, anxiety, depression, mystical experience, psilocybin", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "PubMed", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:20:38", "raw_json": "{\"pubmed_id\":\"35924888\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Anxiety,Emotional Processing,Mystical Experience,Observational Study", "study_type": "Observational Study", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 3785, "title": "From Relaxed Beliefs Under Psychedelics (REBUS) to Revised Beliefs After Psychedelics (REBAS): Preliminary Development of the RElaxed Beliefs Questionnaire (REB-Q)", "normalized_title": "from relaxed beliefs under psychedelics rebus to revised beliefs after psychedelics rebas preliminary development of the relaxed beliefs questionnaire reb q", "authors": "Zeifman R, Spriggs MJ, Kettner H, Lyons T, Rosas F, Mediano P, Erritzoe D, Carhart-Harris R.", "abstract": "Background: The Relaxed Beliefs Under pSychedelics (REBUS) model proposes that serotonergic psychedelics decrease the precision weighting of neurobiologically-encoded beliefs, and offers a unified account of the acute and therapeutic action of psychedelics. Although REBUS has received some neuroscientific support, little research has examined its psychological validity. We conducted a preliminary examination of two psychological assumptions of REBUS: (a) psychedelics foster acute relaxation and post-acute revision of confidence in mental-health-relevant beliefs; (b) this relaxation and revision facilitates positive therapeutic outcomes and is associated with the entropy of EEG signals (an index of neurophysiological mechanisms relevant to REBUS). Method: Healthy individuals (N=11) were administered 1 mg and 25 mg psilocybin 4-weeks apart. Confidence ratings for personally held negative and positive beliefs were obtained before, during, and 4-weeks after dosing sessions. Acute entropy and self-reported subjective experiences were measured, as was well-being (before and 4-weeks after dosing sessions). Results: Confidence in negative self-beliefs decreased following 25 mg psilocybin and not following 1 mg psilocybin. Entropy and subjective effects under 25 mg psilocybin correlated with decreases in negative self-belief confidence (acute and 4-weeks after dosing). Particularly strong evidence was seen for a relationship between decreases in negative self-belief confidence and increases in well-being at 4-weeks. Conclusions: We report the first empirical evidence that the relaxation and revision of negative self-belief confidence mediates positive psychological outcomes; a psychological assumption of REBUS. Replication within larger and clinical samples remains necessary. We also introduce a new measure, the Relaxed BEliefs Questionnaire (REB-Q), for examining the robustness of these preliminary findings and the utility of the REBUS model.", "journal": "PsyArXiv", "publication_date": "2022-07-06", "publication_year": 2022, "doi": "10.31234/osf.io/w8j6t", "pubmed_id": null, "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/w8j6t", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "PsyArXiv", "date_added": "2026-07-01 11:10:22", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:04", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"PPR515142\",\"source\":\"PPR\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":\"PsyArXiv\",\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Brain Imaging,Mechanism of Action,Wellbeing", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "preprint" }, { "id": 3187, "title": "A Bayesian Reanalysis of a Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression", "normalized_title": "a bayesian reanalysis of a trial of psilocybin versus escitalopram for depression", "authors": "Nayak SM, Bari BA, Yaden DB, Spriggs MJ, Rosas F, Peill JM, Giribaldi B, Erritzoe D, Nutt D, Carhart-Harris R.", "abstract": "Objectives: To perform a Bayesian reanalysis of a recent trial of psilocybin (COMP360) versus escitalopram for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in order to provide a more informative interpretation of the indeterminate outcome of a previous frequentist analysis. Design: Reanalysis of a two-arm double-blind placebo controlled trial.Participants: Fifty-nine patients with MDD.Interventions: Two doses of psilocybin 25mg and daily oral placebo versus daily escitalopram and 2 doses of psilocybin 1mg, with psychological support for both groups.Outcome measures: Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self-Report (QIDS SR-16), and three other depression scales as secondary outcomes: HAMD-17, MADRS, and BDI-1A. Results: Using Bayes factors and ‘skeptical priors’ which bias estimates towards zero, for the hypothesis that psilocybin is superior by any margin, we found indeterminate evidence for QIDS SR-16, strong evidence for BDI-1A and MADRS, and extremely strong evidence for HAMD-17. For the stronger hypothesis that psilocybin is superior by a ‘clinically meaningful amount’ (using literature defined values of the minimally clinically important difference), we found moderate evidence against it for QIDS SR-16, indeterminate evidence for BDI-1A and MADRS, and moderate evidence supporting it for HAMD-17. Furthermore, across the board we found extremely strong evidence for psilocybin’s non-inferiority versus escitalopram. These findings were robust to prior sensitivity analysis. Conclusions: This Bayesian reanalysis supports the following inferences: 1) that psilocybin did indeed outperform escitalopram in this trial, but not to an extent that was clinically meaningful--and 2) that psilocybin is almost certainly non-inferior to escitalopram. The present results provide a more precise and nuanced interpretation to previously reported results from this trial, and support the need for further research into the relative efficacy of psilocybin therapy for depression with respect to current leading treatments.", "journal": "PsyArXiv", "publication_date": "2022-06-30", "publication_year": 2022, "doi": "10.31234/osf.io/sb5ur", "pubmed_id": null, "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/sb5ur", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "PsyArXiv", "date_added": "2026-07-01 11:03:48", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:02", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"PPR512763\",\"source\":\"PPR\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":\"PsyArXiv\",\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "preprint" }, { "id": 3381, "title": "Neuroimaging in psychedelic drug development: Past, present, and future", "normalized_title": "neuroimaging in psychedelic drug development past present and future", "authors": "Wall M, Harding R, Zafar R, Rabiner EA, Nutt D, Erritzoe D.", "abstract": "Psychedelic therapy (PT) is an emerging paradigm with great transdiagnostic potential for treating a range of psychiatric disorders, including depression, addiction, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and others. ‘Classic’ serotonergic psychedelics, such as psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), form the main focus of this movement, but other substances including ketamine, 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and ibogaine also hold promise. The development of these novel treatment modalities in the early 21st century has occurred concurrently with the wider use of advanced human neuroscientific research methods; principally neuroimaging. This has enabled assessment of drug and therapy brain effects with greater precision and quantification than any previous novel development in psychiatric pharmacology. We outline some of the major trends in existing data and suggest that the modern development of PT has benefitted greatly from the use of neuroimaging. Important gaps in existing knowledge are identified which can be addressed by future neuroimaging work, principally using combined Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) methods, plus other adjunct techniques. Suggestions for future multimodal imaging studies are discussed, which would resolve some of these questions and provide a firmer foundation for the development of PT.", "journal": "PsyArXiv", "publication_date": "2022-06-29", "publication_year": 2022, "doi": "10.31234/osf.io/xwu4j", "pubmed_id": null, "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/xwu4j", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "PsyArXiv", "date_added": "2026-07-01 11:03:52", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:06", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"PPR512207\",\"source\":\"PPR\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":\"PsyArXiv\",\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,PTSD,Addiction,Eating Disorders,Brain Imaging,Pharmacology,Aging", "study_type": "Other", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "preprint" }, { "id": 1798, "title": "Increased global integration in the brain after psilocybin therapy for depression.", "normalized_title": "increased global integration in the brain after psilocybin therapy for depression", "authors": "Daws RE, Timmermann C, Giribaldi B, Sexton JD, Wall MB, Erritzoe D, Roseman L, Nutt D, Carhart-Harris R.", "abstract": "Psilocybin therapy shows antidepressant potential, but its therapeutic actions are not well understood. We assessed the subacute impact of psilocybin on brain function in two clinical trials of depression. The first was an open-label trial of orally administered psilocybin (10 mg and 25 mg, 7 d apart) in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was recorded at baseline and 1 d after the 25-mg dose. Beck's depression inventory was the primary outcome measure ( MR/J00460X/1 ). The second trial was a double-blind phase II randomized controlled trial comparing psilocybin therapy with escitalopram. Patients with major depressive disorder received either 2 × 25 mg oral psilocybin, 3 weeks apart, plus 6 weeks of daily placebo ('psilocybin arm') or 2 × 1 mg oral psilocybin, 3 weeks apart, plus 6 weeks of daily escitalopram (10-20 mg) ('escitalopram arm'). fMRI was recorded at baseline and 3 weeks after the second psilocybin dose ( NCT03429075 ). In both trials, the antidepressant response to psilocybin was rapid, sustained and correlated with decreases in fMRI brain network modularity, implying that psilocybin's antidepressant action may depend on a global increase in brain network integration. Network cartography analyses indicated that 5-HT2A receptor-rich higher-order functional networks became more functionally interconnected and flexible after psilocybin treatment. The antidepressant response to escitalopram was milder and no changes in brain network organization were observed. Consistent efficacy-related brain changes, correlating with robust antidepressant effects across two studies, suggest an antidepressant mechanism for psilocybin therapy: global increases in brain network integration.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2022-04-10", "publication_year": 2022, "doi": "10.1038/s41591-022-01744-z", "pubmed_id": "35411074", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-022-01744-z", "keywords": "Brain, Humans, Hallucinogens, Antidepressive Agents, Double-Blind Method, Depression, Psilocybin, Escitalopram, Major Depressive Disorder", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:02", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"35411074\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Brain Imaging,Receptor Pharmacology,Aging,Clinical Trial,Randomized Controlled Trial,Treatment-Resistant Depression", "study_type": "Randomized Controlled Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 1802, "title": "Therapeutic Alliance and Rapport Modulate Responses to Psilocybin Assisted Therapy for Depression.", "normalized_title": "therapeutic alliance and rapport modulate responses to psilocybin assisted therapy for depression", "authors": "Murphy R, Kettner H, Zeifman R, Giribaldi B, Kartner L, Martell J, Read T, Murphy-Beiner A, Baker-Jones M, Nutt D, Erritzoe D, Watts R, Carhart-Harris R.", "abstract": "Background: Across psychotherapeutic frameworks, the strength of the therapeutic alliance has been found to correlate with treatment outcomes; however, its role has never been formally assessed in a trial of psychedelic-assisted therapy. We aimed to investigate the relationships between therapeutic alliance and rapport, the quality of the acute psychedelic experience and treatment outcomes. Methods: This 2-arm double-blind randomized controlled trial compared escitalopram with psychedelic-assisted therapy for moderate-severe depressive disorder (N = 59). This analysis focused on the psilocybin condition (n = 30), who received two oral doses of 25 mg psilocybin, 3-weeks apart, with psychological preparation, in-session support, and integration therapy. A new psychedelic therapy model, called \"Accept-Connect-Embody\" (ACE), was developed in this trial. The primary outcome was depression severity 6 weeks post treatment (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, QIDS-SR-16). Path analyses tested the hypothesis that therapeutic alliance (Scale To Assess the Therapeutic Relationship Patient Version, STAR-P) would predict depression outcomes via its influence on the acute psychedelic experience, specifically emotional-breakthrough (EBI) and mystical-type experiences (MEQ). The same analysis was performed on the escitalopram arm to test specificity. Results: The strength of therapeutic alliance predicted pre-session rapport, greater emotional-breakthrough and mystical-type experience (maximum EBI and MEQ scores across the two psilocybin sessions) and final QIDS scores (β = -0.22, R2 = 0.42 for EBIMax; β = -0.19, R2 = 0.32 for MEQMax). Exploratory path models revealed that final depression outcomes were more strongly affected by emotional breakthrough during the first, and mystical experience during the second session. Emotional breakthrough, but not mystical experience, during the first session had a positive effect on therapeutic alliance ahead of the second session (β = 0.79, p < 0.0001). Therapeutic alliance ahead of the second session had a direct impact on final depression scores, not mediated by the acute experience, with a weaker alliance ahead of the second psilocybin session predicting higher absolute depression scores at endpoint (β = -0.49, p < 0.001) Discussion: Future research could consider therapist training and characteristics; specific participant factors, e.g., attachment style or interpersonal trauma, which may underlie the quality of the therapeutic relationship, the psychedelic experience and clinical outcomes; and consider how therapeutic approaches might adapt in cases of weaker therapeutic alliance. Clinical Trial Registration: This trial is registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier (NCT03429075).", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2022-03-30", "publication_year": 2022, "doi": "10.3389/fphar.2021.788155", "pubmed_id": "35431912", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.788155", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:05", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:03", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"35431912\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Depression,Emotional Processing,Mystical Experience,Clinical Trial,Randomized Controlled Trial", "study_type": "Randomized Controlled Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" }, { "id": 1894, "title": "Study Protocol for \"Psilocybin as a Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa: A Pilot Study\".", "normalized_title": "study protocol for psilocybin as a treatment for anorexia nervosa a pilot study", "authors": "Spriggs MJ, Douglass HM, Park RJ, Read T, Danby JL, de Magalhães FJC, Alderton KL, Williams TM, Blemings A, Lafrance A, Nicholls DE, Erritzoe D, Nutt DJ, Carhart-Harris RL.", "abstract": "Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious and life-threatening psychiatric condition. With a paucity of approved treatments, there is a desperate need for novel treatment avenues to be explored. Here, we present (1) an overview of the ways through which Public Patient Involvement (PPI) has informed a trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy for AN and (2) a protocol for a pilot study of psilocybin-assisted therapy in AN currently underway at Imperial College London. The study aims to assess the feasibility, brain mechanisms and preliminary outcomes of treating anorexia nervosa with psilocybin. Methods: (1) PPI: Across two online focus groups, eleven individuals with lived experience of AN were presented with an overview of the protocol. Their feedback not only identified solutions to possible barriers for future participants, but also helped the research team to better understand the concept of \"recovery\" from the perspective of those with lived experience. (2) Protocol: Twenty female participants [21-65 years old, body mass index (BMI) 15 kg/m2 or above] will receive three oral doses of psilocybin (up to 25 mg) over a 6-week period delivered in a therapeutic environment and enveloped by psychological preparation and integration. We will work with participant support networks (care teams and an identified support person) throughout and there will be an extended remote follow-up period of 12 months. Our two-fold primary outcomes are (1) psychopathology (Eating Disorder Examination) across the 6-month follow-up and (2) readiness and motivation to engage in recovery (Readiness and Motivation Questionnaire) across the 6-week trial period. Neurophysiological outcome measures will be: (1) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) brain changes from baseline to 6-week endpoint and (2) post-acute changes in electroencephalography (EEG) activity, including an electrophysiological marker of neuronal plasticity. Discussion: The results of this pilot study will not only shed light on the acceptability, brain mechanisms, and impression of the potential efficacy of psilocybin as an adjunct treatment for AN but will be essential in shaping a subsequent Randomised Control Trial (RCT) that would test this treatment against a suitable control condition. Clinical Trial Registration: identifier: NCT04505189.", "journal": null, "publication_date": "2021-10-19", "publication_year": 2021, "doi": "10.3389/fpsyt.2021.735523", "pubmed_id": "34744825", "source_url": "https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.735523", "keywords": "", "substance_tags": "psilocybin", "source_name": "Europe PMC", "date_added": "2026-07-01 06:48:06", "last_checked": "2026-07-01 11:22:02", "raw_json": "{\"europe_pmc_id\":\"34744825\",\"source\":\"MED\",\"pub_type\":null,\"publisher\":null,\"importer\":\"Europe PMC\"}", "topic_tags": "Eating Disorders,End-of-Life Distress,Neuroplasticity,Brain Imaging,Mechanism of Action,Biomarkers,Aging,Clinical Trial,Randomized Controlled Trial", "study_type": "Clinical Trial", "hidden": 0, "false_positive": 0, "curation_notes": null, "merged_into_id": null, "curation_locked": 0, "publication_status": "published" } ] }