Results from the first Australia trial of using psychedelics to treat depression have given hope for a new effective treatment.
Lead researcher Professor Susan Rossell, from the Swinburne University of Technology, said promising findings from the use of psilocybin could see the drug become the future of mental health care.
Professor Rossell said the study found that by the end of 12 weeks of treatment, with two 25mg psilocybin sessions alongside other therapy supports, most participants experienced a “clinically meaningful reduction in depression symptoms”.
She said the trial offered hope to the millions of Australians struggling with depressive disorders, particularly those who were unresponsive to existing treatments.
“We found that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is an effective real-world treatment regimen for those with treatment-resistant depression.
“We’re making a substantial difference to people’s lives who may have run out of treatment options and hope, and putting Australia at the forefront of psychedelics research globally.”
Professor Rossell though not all participants experienced substantial improvement, they did not experience any serious adverse effects, a finding that aligned with previous research.
“We’re exceptionally pleased with these promising early findings that pave the way for future psychedelic research on a range of other mental health conditions,” says Professor Rossell.
“Depression is a debilitating condition, and this research could have a real impact on countless lives – not just sufferers but their loved ones.”
Read the full study: Psilocybin with psychotherapeutic support for treatment-resistant depression: a pilot clinical trial.
