Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A New Study from the Beckley/Imperial Research Programme

Amanda Feilding is a co-author of the latest study in the Beckley/Imperial Research Programme, which reveals remarkable results using psilocybin to help people with treatment-resistant depression.

Amanda says: “It is very exciting that our latest psilocybin study paves the way for a new treatment for depression. For the first time in many years, people who were at the end of the road with currently available treatments reported decreased anxiety, increased optimism and an ability to enjoy things. This is an unparalleled success and could revolutionise the treatment of depression.”

According to the WHO, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and accounts for up to 50% of chronic sick leaves. 350 million people suffer from depression worldwide. In Europe, 1 of 15 people (about 7%) suffers from major depression, and if all forms of depression and anxiety is included, 4 out of 15 people are affected. There is an unmet need for addressing this issue, as only 50% of patients respond to antidepressants, and about 20% do not respond to any treatment. All the subjects who participated in the trial hailed from this final 20%, on average having battled depression with without success for 18 years.

(Amanda Feilding and Prof David Nutt, co-directors of the Beckley/Imperial Research Programme)