Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy as a Treatment for Depression

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting an estimated 300 million people. Despite available treatments, response rates remain modest, and treatment resistance is common. Novel treatments are needed that act rapidly, produce lasting effects and work differently than existing antidepressants. In clinical trials, psilocybin has shown promise as a treatment for depression due to its rapid onset of antidepressant effects and sustained benefits. This study will use MRI scanning of the brain and other biological measures (biomarkers) to investigate how psilocybin affects brain activity and psychological flexibility before, during, and after receiving psilocybin in participants with depressive symptoms.

NCT Number	NCT07582120
Lead Sponsor	Washington University School of Medicine
Conditions	Depression
Enrollment	50 participants
Start Date	2026-06
Primary Completion	2031-06 (estimated)
Study Completion	2031-12 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-05-20