According to research presented at the Psychedelic Science 2025 conference in Denver, a single dose of psilocybin can bring long-lasting relief to people suffering from depression. As many as 67% of study participants who underwent psilocybin therapy five years ago remain in remission. 

The researchers focused on people with major depressive disorder (MDD) who underwent a randomized clinical trial. Some of the 24 participants received psilocybin at the beginning of the trial, while the rest received it after eight weeks. All participants also underwent 11 hours of psychotherapy. After just one month, 14 people were in full remission, and the effectiveness of the therapy significantly exceeded the effects of traditional antidepressants. 

In a follow-up study conducted after five years with 21 participants, most patients showed not only an absence of depressive symptoms, but also lower levels of anxiety and improved functioning in everyday life. The participants emphasized that the psychedelic experience prompted them to engage in deep reflection and long-term therapeutic work, which, according to the authors of the study, may be one of the key factors in the effectiveness of the therapy. 

Although the authors of the study emphasize that the sample was small, the results represent an important step toward further research into the long-term effects of psychedelics on mental health. 

Source: livescience.com