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No Clear Benefit for Psychedelic Therapy

A review of 24 studies found similar depression outcomes, suggesting apparent psychedelic benefits may reflect expectancy effects and weaker placebo responses 

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A systematic review and meta-analysis involving 24 studies analyzed the efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapy versus traditional antidepressants. Researchers evaluated data from 8 psychedelic trials and 16 open-label antidepressant trials, focusing on changes in depression severity. The results indicated only a small differentiation in symptom improvement, favoring antidepressants, but not at a clinically meaningful level. The study addresses challenges in maintaining blinding in trials and calls for careful interpretation of earlier findings that suggested psychedelics had greater efficacy.

Original Source(s)

No Clear Benefit for Psychedelic Therapy

  • by Henry Thomas

  • March 23, 2026

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