Psychedelic Medicine

Articles tagged with "Psychedelic Medicine".

Ketamine vs Esketamine for Depression: Systematic Review Compares Effectiveness

Tags: Ketamine Depression, Esketamine, Treatment-Resistant Depression, Psychedelic Medicine

November 23, 2025

Which works better: ketamine or esketamine for depression?

Intravenous ketamine shows superior efficacy compared to esketamine for treatment-resistant depression with faster onset and stronger effects. Meta-analysis reveals important differences between these ketamine treatments.

Both treatments work by blocking NMDA receptors and promoting neuroplasticity, but IV ketamine's superior bioavailability and dosing may explain its stronger antidepressant effects.

What the data show:

Against esketamine: IV ketamine shows superior response rates
Time to improvement: IV ketamine works more rapidly than nasal esketamine
Effect magnitude: greater depression improvement with IV ketamine
Target population: both effective for treatment-resistant cases, but ketamine shows advantage
Administration: IV delivery may provide better bioavailability

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology directly compared intravenous ketamine and esketamine for depression treatment, providing crucial evidence for clinicians and patients choosing between these two ketamine-based treatments.

Psilocybin for Depression: BMJ Meta-Analysis Shows Significant Efficacy

Tags: Psilocybin Meta-Analysis, BMJ Depression Review, Psychedelic Medicine, Evidence-Based Treatment

November 23, 2025

Does psilocybin treat depression effectively?

Psilocybin shows significant efficacy for treating depression symptoms according to comprehensive BMJ meta-analysis.

Psilocybin works by activating serotonin receptors and promoting neuroplasticity, potentially resetting brain circuits involved in depression and providing rapid antidepressant effects.

What the data show:

Symptom reduction: substantial improvements in depression scores
Time to improvement: rapid effects compared to traditional antidepressants
Target population: effective when other treatments have failed
Evidence base: multiple clinical trials confirm effectiveness
Journal credibility: comprehensive BMJ meta-analysis provides definitive evidence

A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis published in The BMJ provides definitive evidence on psilocybin’s efficacy for treating depression symptoms, offering the most comprehensive assessment to date of this promising psychedelic treatment approach.

Single-Dose Psilocybin Shows Rapid, Sustained Antidepressant Effects

Tags: Psilocybin Depression, Psychedelic Medicine, Rapid Antidepressant, Clinical Trial

November 23, 2025

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.