More psychedelic dosing sessions showed an inconsistent advantage across studies
A review examined whether session count and psychotherapy approach changed outcomes for depression and anxiety; evidence for a session-count advantage was not robust.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Studies using two psychedelic dosing sessions had larger between-group symptom effects than those using one session. However, this pattern did not appear in analyses of change within groups. The review therefore provides an uncertain signal about session count, rather than experimental confirmation that an additional session improves outcomes for an individual patient.
Only 3 studies used psychotherapy protocols derived from evidence-based approaches. Unblinded outcome assessment and departures from intention-to-treat analysis also increased concerns about bias.
The question behind the review
The researchers examined symptoms of depression and anxiety after treatment and at follow-up. They asked whether the number of dosing sessions or the type of accompanying psychotherapy helped explain differences in outcomes across studies.
Different ways to assess change
Between-group analyses compare outcomes across treatment groups, while within-group analyses track change in a group over time. The session-count pattern appeared only in the former, which is why the authors called for experimental replication.
The original publication
Does number of dosing sessions and type of adjunctive psychotherapy affect outcomes in psychedelic-assisted-psychotherapy for depressive disorders and anxiety disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Lindegaard T, Käll A
J Affect Disord · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41265657
- Record checked
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