The effects of psilocybin therapy versus escitalopram on cognitive bias: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

BACKGROUND: Patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) have more dysfunctional attitudes than healthy individuals and these pessimistic biases are correlated with depression severity. Psilocybin has demonstrated sustained remission in depression. METHODS: Secondary analysis of a two-arm randomized controlled trial assessing the effect of psilocybin therapy versus escitalopram on 'maladaptive' cognitive biases relevant to the construct of depression. Primary outcomes were post-treatment changes in biases at six weeks compared with baseline, as measured using three validated psychological scales. FINDINGS: =4·10, p = 0·005; 95 % CI [1·35, 6·86], d = 0·6). INTERPRETATION: These results suggest that two high-dose sessions with psilocybin therapy are superior to a six-week daily course of a selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor antidepressant, in remediating negative cognitive biases in depression.