Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/ptnphotof Over the past ten years, the global rate of depression has increased by 20%, with around 300 million cases reported. Even though there are a variety of medications currently available to treat depression, it is common for those taking them to experience adverse reactions and little symptom relief.
Over the past 20 years, psilocybin, a psychedelic prodrug compound that is found in hundreds of mushroom species, has been researched as a potential treatment for depression. Citing psilocybin’s different mechanism of action, there is belief that it might improve the treatment response rate. To achieve a better understanding, the authors of a study published by The BMJ conducted a meta-analysis aimed at determining how effective psilocybin is as a treatment for depression compared to placebo or non-psychoactive drugs.
For the study, researchers collected data from five electronic databases and four databases of unpublished and international literature. After collecting the data, it was synthesized through a random effects meta-analysis model on 436 participants between the 36 and 60 years of age across the studies. The results indicated that there was a significant benefit when using psilocybin (Hedges’ g=1.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55 to 2.73, P<0.001) in treating depression. A response was defined as a 50% decrease in symptom severity and remission according to questionnaire scores. 1
These findings follow significant progress in the area of psychedelic research for mental health issues. Earlier this year, Cybin Inc. received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) for CYB003, a novel deuterated psilocybin analog in development for the treatment of major depressive disorder. According to the company, the BTD was based on positive topline results from a Phase II study of CYB003 in major depressive disorder. The positive four-month efficacy data showed that 60% of patients on 12 mg and 75% on 16 mg were in remission from depression following two doses of CYB003. 2
“It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Cybin team that we have accomplished so much so quickly. The granting of Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the FDA underscores the potential of CYB003 […]
Study Demonstrates Potential of Psilocybin as an Antidepressant Compared with Non-Psychoactive Drugs
