Small trial found a short-term depression benefit from combined psilocybin and mindfulness therapy
The combined program reduced depression scores more than mindfulness alone shortly after treatment, but the difference weakened at later follow-up.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The combined program produced a larger early drop in self-reported depression scores than mindfulness training alone. The difference weakened by later follow-up, and apparent benefits for burnout, demoralization and connectedness were not statistically secure after adjustment for multiple comparisons. This small trial provides preliminary evidence for the combined program, with durability unresolved.
The sample was small and homogeneous, and the programs differed substantially in intensity. Abstract-only access limits appraisal of how these differences influenced the estimated treatment effect.
What researchers found
Between-group effect on depression score (QIDS-SR-16)
From baseline to 2 weeks after treatment; larger symptom reduction with the combined program than mindfulness alone, estimated by a linear mixed model.
The comparison involved complete programs
The study compared complete therapy programs, so the reported difference cannot isolate psilocybin from the extra psychotherapy and intervention intensity. That distinction matters when interpreting what produced the early symptom change.
Safety observations were limited in scale
Researchers recorded 12 study-related adverse events of Grade 1-2 and no serious events. This safety observation comes from a small sample and does not establish that the approach is risk-free.
The original publication
Psilocybin-assisted group psychotherapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction for frontline healthcare provider COVID-19-related depression and burnout: A randomized controlled trial.
Lewis BR, Hendrick J, Byrne K et al.
PLoS Med · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40972137
- Record checked
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