Psilocybin Assisted Therapy for Depression:
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain species of mushrooms (often called “magic mushrooms”). When ingested, the body converts psilocybin into psilocin, which affects the brain—especially serotonin receptors—leading to changes in perception, mood, and thought.
How it may work
Psilocybin affects serotonin receptors (especially 5-HT2A) and appears to temporarily “loosen” rigid patterns of brain activity. This may help people break out of negative thought loops common in depression and gain new perspectives.
Psilocybin-Assisted therapy is a form of treatment where a patient is given psilocybin in a controlled and medically monitored setting guided by trained therapists. The therapy has three main phases which make up one round of treatment.
This treatment is provided in three parts: preparation sessions, the medicine session, and follow-on integration sessions. Two therapists are present for all aspects of the treatment.
Preparation – typically 2-5 sessions
- Several sessions with a therapist to build trust
- Discussion of your history, goals, and concerns
- Guidance on how to navigate the experience
Medicine session – a full day session
- Conducted in a calm, supervised environment
- Sessions last up to 8 hours with therapists present the entire time
Integration – typically 2-5 sessions
- Follow-up therapy sessions to process the experience
- Translating insights into real-life changes
Some key points
- Improvements can happen within days but changes and benefits may unfold over the ensuing months
- Durability: Some have reported benefits lasting years after just a few sessions
- Therapy matters: It’s not just the drug—participants should receive psychological support before, during, and after the session
People who take psilocybin may experience:
- Altered sense of time and space
- Visual or auditory distortions (hallucinations)
- Intensified emotions or introspection
- A feeling of connectedness or “spiritual” insight
Psilocybin bibliography
- Menon V, Ramamurthy P, Venu S, Andrade C. Randomized Controlled Trials of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. 2025;151(5):557-71.
- Carhart-Harris R, Giribaldi B, Watts R, Baker-Jones M, Murphy-Beiner A, Murphy R, et al. Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021;384(15):1402-11.
- Davis AK, Barrett FS, May DG, Cosimano MP, Sepeda ND, Johnson MW, et al. Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA psychiatry. 2021;78(5):481-9
- Goodwin GM, Aaronson ST, Alvarez O, Arden PC, Baker A, Bennett JC, et al. Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(18):1637-48
- Raison CL, Sanacora G, Woolley J, Heinzerling K, Dunlop BW, Brown RT, et al. Single-Dose Psilocybin Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Jama. 2023;330(9):843-53
- von Rotz R, Schindowski EM, Jungwirth J, Schuldt A, Rieser NM, Zahoranszky K, et al. Single-dose psilocybin-assisted therapy in major depressive disorder: A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomised clinical trial. EClinicalMedicine. 2023;56:101809
- Rosenblat JD, Meshkat S, Doyle Z, Kaczmarek E, Brudner RM, Kratiuk K, et al. Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for treatment resistant depression: A randomized clinical trial evaluating repeated doses of psilocybin. Med. 2024;5(3):190-200.e5
Ecdysis Clinical Psychedelic Therapy does not offer crisis or after-hours support. In the case of an emergency, please phone 111, go to your nearest emergency department, or phone your local Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand (formerly DHB) mental health crisis team which can be located here: https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/health-topics/mental-health/crisis-assessment-teams.
The Wellington, Hutt, and Kapiti crisis phone number is 0800 745 477
The Wairarapa crisis phone number is 0508 432 432
- Services
General Psychiatry
Ecdysis provides comprehensive mental health care for individuals experiencing a wide range of psychological and emotional difficulties.
Ketamine assisted therapy
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MDMA assisted therapy
MDMA-AT is an innovative therapeutic approach aimed at alleviating the symptoms of PTSD, especially in individuals who have not responded to conventional treatments.