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Open AccessSystematic Review
Comparison between Single-Dose and Two-Dose Psilocybin Administration in the Treatment of Major Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Current Clinical Trials
by
Gianmarco Salvetti
Gianmarco Salvetti 1,†,
Daniele Saccenti
Daniele Saccenti 1,2,†
,
Andrea Stefano Moro
Andrea Stefano Moro 1,2,3
,
Jacopo Lamanna
Jacopo Lamanna 2,4,*,‡
and
Mattia Ferro
Mattia Ferro 1,2,3,‡
1
Department of Psychology, Sigmund Freud University of Milan, 20143 Milan, Italy
2
Brain and Behaviour SFU Lab, Sigmund Freud University of Milan, 20143 Milan, Italy
3
Center for Behavioral Neuroscience and Communication (BNC), Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
4
Faculty of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
‡
These authors also contributed equally to this work.
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(8), 829; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14080829 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 28 July 2024
/
Revised: 13 August 2024
/
Accepted: 14 August 2024
/
Published: 18 August 2024
Abstract
Current pharmacological treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD) are often only partially effective, with many patients experiencing no significant benefit, leading to treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Psilocybin, a classical serotonergic psychedelic, has emerged as a notable emerging treatment for such disorders. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarize and discuss the most recent evidence about the therapeutic effects of single-dose and two-dose psilocybin administration on the severity of depressive symptoms, as well as compare the efficacy of these interventions among patients with a primary diagnosis of MDD or TRD. Articles were collected from EBSCOhost and PubMed following the PRISMA guidelines, yielding 425 articles with 138 duplicates. After screening 287 records, 12 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. A quantitative analysis of the studies indicates that psilocybin is highly effective in reducing depressive symptoms severity among patients with primary MDD or TRD. Both single-dose and two-dose psilocybin treatments significantly reduced depressive symptoms severity, with two-dose administration sometimes yielding more pronounced and lasting effects. However, it is unclear if this was solely due to dosage or other factors. Future research should include standardized trials comparing these dosing strategies to better inform clinical practice.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Salvetti, G.; Saccenti, D.; Moro, A.S.; Lamanna, J.; Ferro, M.
Comparison between Single-Dose and Two-Dose Psilocybin Administration in the Treatment of Major Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Current Clinical Trials. Brain Sci. 2024, 14, 829.
https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14080829
AMA Style
Salvetti G, Saccenti D, Moro AS, Lamanna J, Ferro M.
Comparison between Single-Dose and Two-Dose Psilocybin Administration in the Treatment of Major Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Current Clinical Trials. Brain Sciences. 2024; 14(8):829.
https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14080829
Chicago/Turabian Style
Salvetti, Gianmarco, Daniele Saccenti, Andrea Stefano Moro, Jacopo Lamanna, and Mattia Ferro.
2024. "Comparison between Single-Dose and Two-Dose Psilocybin Administration in the Treatment of Major Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Current Clinical Trials" Brain Sciences 14, no. 8: 829.
https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14080829
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