Single-Dose Psilocybin Shows Rapid, Sustained Antidepressant Effects
Can one dose of psilocybin treat depression?
A single 25mg dose of psilocybin produces rapid and sustained antidepressant effects lasting weeks. JAMA study of 104 adults shows significant improvements compared to placebo.
Psilocybin works by activating serotonin receptors and promoting neuroplasticity, potentially resetting brain circuits involved in depression when administered with psychological support.
What the data show:
- Treatment frequency: single dose provides weeks of benefit
- Time to improvement: rapid effects seen within days, not weeks
- Duration of benefit: effects last 6+ weeks after single session
- Against placebo: significant improvements confirmed
- Paradigm shift: potential breakthrough from daily medication model
A landmark randomized, placebo-controlled trial published in JAMA demonstrates that psilocybin administered with psychological support produces significant improvement in depressive symptoms compared to placebo, offering sustained benefits from just one carefully supervised treatment session.