Psilocybin compared with escitalopram for depression.
Carhart-Harris et al. performed a study in which they compared psilocybin in combination with psychotherapy to escitalopram in combination with psychotherapy for depression. In this commentary, the author first summarizes the study results in this double blind randomized controlled trial, psilocybin yielded an antidepressant effect comparable to escitalopram. Then, the author reflects on both the implications this study might have for future clinical practice and on the still existing shortcomings pertaining to psychedelic research in psychiatry. Psychedelic treatments might become guideline-based treatment after phase III trials have been performed. However, to date, only phase II trials have been performed and little is known about psilocybins ability to maintain its antidepressant effect. In addition, blinding issues with psychedelic treatments remain, and media might have presented a premature and overly positive image of psychedelics as a possible treatment for psychiatric illness.