More data The University of Toronto has launched a groundbreaking study, the EMBRACE trial, to explore psilocybin's potential for treating major depressive disorder, aiming to find alternative therapies for those who don't respond to conventional treatments. The context : About one third of people with depression do not respond to traditional treatments. The EMBRACE trial will investigate psilocybin's effect on brain networks and its efficacy as a rapid-acting antidepressant. This study will recruit 50 participants diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder or Persistent Depressive Disorder, randomly assigning them to psilocybin or placebo groups. The approach : Participants will undergo neuroimaging brain scans before and after taking either the placebo or psilocybin, allowing researchers to observe changes in brain activity and blood flow, especially in areas associated with mood and depression. After three weeks, the placebo group will transition to psilocybin treatment to compare immediate and longer-term effects on their conditions. Supportive therapy : Throughout the study, participants will receive supportive psychotherapy to help them process their experiences and and monitor depressive symptoms using clinical psychiatric scales. Read more.