Mood & Mental Health

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Study

Psilocybin Beat Lexapro on Well-Being in Long-Term Depression Study

Psilocybin Beat Lexapro on Well-Being in Long-Term Depression Study

Psilocybin mushrooms

What they found

After six months both treatments eased depression, but psilocybin patients improved 142% more in work and social functioning than those on escitalopram.

After six months both treatments eased depression, but psilocybin patients improved 142% more in work and social functioning than those on escitalopram.

The number

more than twice the improvement in the ability to function at work and socially (142%)

How solid is it?

Early human

Early human

Human – RCT

Human – RCT

Evidence ladder: Lab dish → Animal → Early human → Strong human. Reviews summarize earlier research.

At a glance

Latin name

Compound

psilocybin; escitalopram

psilocybin; escitalopram

Published in

The Lancet

The Lancet

Covered in Shroom Scan

Section

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

As it ran in Shroom Scan

Mushrooms for Depression

Mushrooms for Depression

Results from the first long-term comparison study of psilocybin therapy (PT) versus the SSRI escitalopram (Lexapro) for treating depression were released. Both treatments improved depressive symptoms after six months, but psilocybin patients significantly outperformed in broader well-being metrics. The numbers are astounding: on average, psilocybin patients experienced more than twice the improvement in the ability to function at work and socially (142%) and there was a more than threefold increase in finding meaning and significance in life compared to the escitalopram group (229%).

Results from the first long-term comparison study of psilocybin therapy (PT) versus the SSRI escitalopram (Lexapro) for treating depression were released. Both treatments improved depressive symptoms after six months, but psilocybin patients significantly outperformed in broader well-being metrics. The numbers are astounding: on average, psilocybin patients experienced more than twice the improvement in the ability to function at work and socially (142%) and there was a more than threefold increase in finding meaning and significance in life compared to the escitalopram group (229%).

Psilocybin vs. Lexapro, Benefits of Truffles, and Mycelium Shoes

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