*3.5. Subgroup and Sensitivity Analyses*

A subgroup analysis was performed for each primary outcome of the study, except for STAI-State because of the limited number of studies reporting this outcome (Table 3). Accordingly, the influence of psilocybin in either BDI or STAI-Trait was studied separately depending on the dose and on the follow-up time after psilocybin administration.

It was shown that psilocybin induces reduction in both BDI and STAI-Trait at all the tested doses, but the reduction is not dose-dependent. In fact, compared to the control group, this outcome was only statistically significant at the doses of 0.4 mg/kg for BDI and of 0.3 and 0.4 mg/kg for STAI-Trait.

Concerning the time of the follow-up, psilocybin induces statistically significant results in a period of 38 to 189 days in BDI and in 14 to 189 days in STAI-Trait.

The sensitivity analysis was performed by excluding some studies and evaluating how those studies would affect the results (results not shown). This analysis indicates that the pooled effects of psilocybin in depression and anxiety through BDI, STAI-Trait and STAI-State did not change substantially if a few studies were omitted. The sensitivity analysis proved that the overall results obtained in this meta-analysis are robust.

**Table 3.** Subgroup analysis of the e ffects of psilocybin on depression and anxiety.

