Longitudinal Survey from Psilocybin Retreat Demonstrates Lasting Symptom Relief for Major Depression and Anxiety Disorders

As psilocybin gains significant attention in the scientific community for its therapeutic effects on mental health conditions, more long-term studies are crucial for understanding its safety profile and full potential. Recently, MycoMeditations, a trailblazer in authorized psilocybin-based therapy retreats, shared insights from two-year longitudinal client evaluations. The results from the comprehensive analysis have found that psilocybin therapy has lasting benefits for those with major depression and anxiety disorders, further adding to the growing body of knowledge regarding psychedelic therapy and its efficacy.

Who is MycoMeditations?

Established in 2014, MycoMeditations is one of the longest-standing retreat centers in the world to offer psychedelic-assisted therapy. Based in Jamaica, where psilocybin is legal, the company provides a safe and controlled environment for clients with a variety of conditions, from mental health disorders to chronic pain relief. Their retreats, spanning one week with multiple dosing sessions, are carefully designed to ensure a supportive and transformative experience for all participants. By the end of the retreat, participants will have undergone 20 hours of therapeutic discussion through group and private therapy led by a team of licensed therapists. The retreats emphasize safety, efficacy, and respect for the transformative potential of psilocybin and its holistic approach to mental wellness.

MycoMeditations is the first and only non-academic organization to extensively publicize and discuss the beneficial outcomes of psilocybin-assisted therapy retreats on conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). The initiative demonstrates the lasting benefits of psilocybin even outside of clinical research settings and reinforces the importance of such alternative therapies in the field of mental health care.

Major findings of the survey

The data collected, spanning from July 2021 to October 2023, includes feedback from clients who attended MycoMeditation’s seven-day psilocybin-assisted retreat program. Participants completed multiple self-reported questionnaires to measure their symptom severity and long-term outcomes for their conditions. Overall findings from the surveys indicated that MycoMeditation’s psilocybin-assisted retreat model had similar beneficial outcomes compared to notable clinical trials such as COMPASS Pathways Phase 2 studies for MDD. 

One year following the retreat, the participant’s improvements in symptoms were maintained, indicating the long-term efficacy of psilocybin treatment for MDD, GAD, and SAD. The survey’s findings support the approach of administrating several short-term doses of psilocybin and highlight the potential benefits of customizing dosage based on the individual’s specific needs rather than adhering to a uniform dosing strategy based solely on body weight.

All of the data published by MycoMeditations was analyzed and validated by a third-party academic partner.

Naturalistic data for psychedelic therapy research

Last year, MycoMeditations reported similar findings on their client surveys for psilocybin PTSD treatment. The longitudinal surveys published by MycoMeditations are not designed to be recognized as formal academic research or clinical trials, as they lack the standardizing procedures and peer review process typically associated with proper scientific studies. Nonetheless, the information gathered from their data aligns with existing research and demonstrates the “efficacy of treatment models outside of standard clinical and laboratory contexts.” 

By involving participants who are actively seeking therapeutic interventions for their mental health issues, the study presents a more practical and applicable perspective on the efficacy of psilocybin therapy for individuals facing such conditions. 

Although controlled research is critical for a comprehensive understanding of the safety profile and effectiveness of psilocybin therapy, data from naturalistic contexts and retreat settings add valuable insights into real-world effectiveness and patient experiences.

“MycoMeditations would like to thank our guests, our team, and our academic partner for their support and collaboration in the assembly of these data sets,” said CEO and Head Facilitator Justin Townsend in a press release. “As the global acceptance of psilocybin therapy broadens, we’re pleased to have hard evidence that very favorably compares the results of our retreats to leading clinical research in the field.”