The review utilised a Bayesian network meta-analysis, incorporating data from 19 trials involving 2,779 participants—811 in psychedelic studies and 1,968 in escitalopram trials. The findings revealed that high-dose psilocybin (typically defined as 20 mg or more) showed a slight advantage over escitalopram in treating depression. Specifically, psilocybin had a greater effect compared to placebo in antidepressant trials, though the effect size was modest.
Overall, while high-dose psilocybin appears to offer benefits comparable to those of escitalopram, the magnitude of its advantage is small. The study also noted that neither psilocybin nor escitalopram was associated with higher rates of severe adverse events compared to placebo.
These results contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting psychedelics as viable treatments for depression, though further research is needed to fully understand their potential and refine their clinical applications.
