Can psilocybin-assisted therapy provide long-term remission from major depression? 

A long-term study has shown that 67% of participants with major depression were still in remission five years after psilocybin-assisted therapy. This article will explore the details of this study, the implications for long-term depression treatment, and what it means for the future of psychedelic therapy. 

Five Years Later: Does Psilocybin Offer Lasting Relief from Depression?

The search for effective and lasting treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD) has led researchers to explore unconventional avenues. Among the most promising of these is psilocybin-assisted therapy, a novel approach that combines the psychoactive compound found in "magic mushrooms" with structured psychotherapeutic support. While initial studies have shown remarkable short-term results, the question of long-term efficacy has remained a critical area of investigation. A groundbreaking five-year study has provided the most compelling evidence to date that psilocybin-assisted therapy can indeed lead to sustained remission from depression, offering new hope to millions who have struggled with this debilitating condition.

The Groundbreaking Five-Year Study

A recent study published in the Journal of Psychedelic Studies has provided a long-awaited glimpse into the long-term effects of psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depressive disorder [1]. The study, led by Dr. Alan K. Davis and his team, followed up with participants from a previous randomized controlled trial (RCT) five years after they had undergone psilocybin-assisted therapy. The original RCT had already demonstrated significant reductions in depressive symptoms in the short term, but this long-term follow-up aimed to determine if these effects were sustained over a much longer period. The results were nothing short of remarkable. The researchers found that a staggering 67% of the participants were still in remission from their depression five years after the initial treatment. This finding is particularly significant when considering the chronic and recurrent nature of major depressive disorder, where relapse is common with conventional treatments.

The study involved a cohort of individuals who had been diagnosed with MDD and had participated in the original psilocybin-assisted therapy trial. The therapy itself consisted of a carefully structured program that included preparatory sessions, two psilocybin-assisted sessions, and integration sessions to help participants process their experiences. The five-year follow-up involved a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative measures of depression severity with qualitative interviews to gain a deeper understanding of the participants' long-term experiences. The use of both quantitative and qualitative data provides a more holistic view of the treatment's impact, capturing not only the reduction in symptoms but also the profound personal transformations that many participants reported.

What the Results Mean: A Paradigm Shift in Depression Treatment

The 67% remission rate at the five-year mark is a statistic that demands attention. It suggests that psilocybin-assisted therapy may not just be another tool in the toolbox for treating depression, but a potential paradigm shift in how we approach the condition. To put this into perspective, traditional antidepressant medications, while effective for many, often have a much lower rate of sustained remission, and they typically require ongoing daily use to maintain their effects. The fact that a short-term intervention with psilocybin could lead to such a durable and lasting positive outcome is a testament to the profound and transformative potential of this therapy. This is further supported by a 2022 study that followed participants for 12 months and found no serious adverse events related to psilocybin, highlighting its safety in a therapeutic context [2].

The implications of these findings are far-reaching. For individuals who have struggled with treatment-resistant depression, where multiple other treatments have failed, psilocybin-assisted therapy could offer a new lease on life. The qualitative data from the five-year study revealed that participants experienced not just a reduction in their depressive symptoms, but also profound positive changes in their mindset, emotional health, and relationships. Many reported enhanced empathy, self-acceptance, and a greater sense of connection to others and the world around them. These are not just side effects of the treatment, but are believed to be integral to the healing process. A 2024 meta-analysis in the BMJ further supports the efficacy of psilocybin, noting that treatment effects were significantly larger among patients with secondary depression [3].

It is important to note that psilocybin-assisted therapy is not simply about taking a psychedelic drug. The therapeutic container in which the experience takes place is just as important as the psilocybin itself. The preparatory sessions help to establish a safe and trusting relationship between the participant and the therapist, and the integration sessions are crucial for helping the participant to make sense of their experience and to translate the insights gained into lasting changes in their life. This is a key distinction from the recreational use of psychedelics, and it is a critical factor in the safety and efficacy of this treatment. A 2025 study on single-dose psilocybin for depression with severe anhedonia also showed promising results, with a 41.7% remission rate at the three-week mark, further underscoring the rapid and potent effects of this therapy [4].

Beyond the Study: A Growing Body of Evidence

The five-year study does not stand in isolation. It is part of a rapidly growing body of research that is consistently demonstrating the therapeutic potential of psilocybin for a range of mental health conditions, particularly depression. A 2025 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica pooled data from 427 participants and found a significant reduction in depression ratings just one week after psilocybin-assisted therapy [5]. This meta-analysis provides a robust statistical confirmation of the rapid antidepressant effects of psilocybin that have been observed in numerous individual studies. The consistency of these findings across multiple studies and research groups is a strong indicator of the reliability of this treatment.

Another important aspect of the research is the focus on treatment-resistant depression, a condition that affects a significant portion of individuals with MDD and is notoriously difficult to treat. Several studies have specifically targeted this population and have found that psilocybin-assisted therapy can be highly effective even when other treatments have failed. This suggests that psilocybin may work through a different mechanism than traditional antidepressants, offering a new avenue for treatment for those who have lost hope. The research is also expanding to explore the effects of psilocybin on different aspects of depression, such as anhedonia, the inability to feel pleasure, which is a core symptom of the condition. The 2025 study on psilocybin for depression with severe anhedonia is a prime example of this more nuanced approach to research [4].

The Future of Psychedelic Therapy: A New Era in Mental Health

The promising results from the five-year study and other recent research are paving the way for a new era in mental health treatment. As the evidence base for the safety and efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy continues to grow, there is increasing momentum for its integration into mainstream medicine. Regulatory bodies are beginning to take notice, and there is a growing conversation about how to make this treatment accessible to those who need it most. The journey from a promising research finding to a widely available treatment is a long and complex one, but the progress that has been made in recent years is undeniable. The potential for a treatment that can offer such profound and lasting healing with just a few sessions is a beacon of hope for the future of mental health care.

Of course, there are still many questions to be answered. More research is needed to understand the long-term effects of psilocybin-assisted therapy in larger and more diverse populations. It is also important to continue to refine the therapeutic protocols to ensure that the treatment is delivered in the safest and most effective way possible. The development of training programs for therapists who will be administering this treatment is another critical step in ensuring its responsible and ethical implementation. Despite these challenges, the future of psychedelic therapy looks brighter than ever. The five-year study has provided a crucial piece of the puzzle, and it has brought us one step closer to a future where psilocybin-assisted therapy is a recognized and respected treatment for depression and other mental health conditions.

Conclusion: A New Hope for Lasting Healing

The five-year study on psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depressive disorder is a landmark achievement in the field of psychedelic research. The finding that 67% of participants were still in remission five years after treatment is a powerful testament to the potential of this therapy to provide lasting healing from depression. This is not just a fleeting effect, but a profound and enduring transformation that can change the course of a person's life. As the research continues to unfold, it is becoming increasingly clear that psilocybin-assisted therapy is not just a fad, but a legitimate and powerful tool for healing the mind. For the millions of people who have struggled with the darkness of depression, this research offers a new and powerful reason to hope.

References

[1] Davis, A. K., et al. (2025). Five-year outcomes of psilocybin-assisted therapy for Major Depressive Disorder. Journal of Psychedelic Studies. https://akjournals.com/view/journals/2054/aop/article-10.1556-2054.2025.00461/article-10.1556-2054.2025.00461.xml

[2] Gukasyan, N., et al. (2022). Efficacy and safety of psilocybin-assisted treatment for major depressive disorder: Prospective 12-month follow-up. Journal of Psychopharmacology. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/02698811211073759

[3] Metaxa, A. M., et al. (2024). Efficacy of psilocybin for treating symptoms of depression. BMJ. https://www.bmj.com/content/385/bmj-2023-078084

[4] (2025). Single-Dose Psilocybin for Depression With Severe Anhedonia. American Journal of Psychiatry. https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.20231063

[5] Menon, V., et al. (2025). Randomized Controlled Trials of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/acps.13778

Disclaimer: Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy has not been approved by any regulatory agencies in the United States, and the safety and efficacy are still not formally established at the time of this writing.