Depression2021 · New England Journal of Medicine · n=59
Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression
Psilocybin produced comparable reductions in depression scores to escitalopram at 6 weeks, with faster onset of response.
Read paper →Evidence
Clinical Research on Psilocybin Therapy
What the science actually says.
A curated index of peer-reviewed clinical trials and open-label studies on psilocybin, assembled for informed decision-making, not medical advice.
Written by Austin Mao, NMF.0000036Clinical reviewer: pending peer review by MD/PhD in psychiatry/pharmacology/neuroscienceLast updated: May 2026
This page provides educational information about clinical research. It does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before making any health decisions.
Curated studies
Depression2021 · JAMA Psychiatry · n=24
Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder
71% of participants showed a clinically significant response at 4-week follow-up, with 54% meeting remission criteria.
Read paper →Anxiety2016 · Journal of Psychopharmacology · n=51
Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer
Single high-dose psilocybin session produced immediate, substantial, and sustained improvements in anxiety and depression at 6-month follow-up in cancer patients.
Read paper →Anxiety2016 · Journal of Psychopharmacology · n=29
Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer
Psilocybin produced immediate anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects that were sustained at 6.5-month follow-up in cancer patients.
Read paper →Addiction2022 · JAMA Psychiatry · n=93
Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy vs Placebo in the Treatment of Adult Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy significantly reduced heavy drinking days compared to placebo across a 32-week observation period.
Read paper →Depression2022 · New England Journal of Medicine · n=233
Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression
A single 25 mg dose of psilocybin produced significantly greater reductions in depression scores than 1 mg or 10 mg doses in treatment-resistant depression.
Read paper →Addiction2014 · Journal of Psychopharmacology · n=15
Pilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction
80% of participants achieved verified abstinence at 6-month follow-up, suggesting psilocybin-assisted therapy as a promising tobacco cessation approach.
Read paper →Depression2019 · Psychological Medicine · n=29
Rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
Ayahuasca produced rapid and significant antidepressant effects compared to placebo at 1 and 7 days in treatment-resistant depression.
Read paper →Inclusion criteria
Studies included in this index are peer-reviewed, conducted as randomized controlled trials or open-label trials, have a sample size of at least 10 participants, and are published in an indexed journal. We review and update this index periodically as new research is published.