People suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD) often face challenging treatment options, from medications to intensive interventions like electroconvulsive therapy or ketamine infusions.
A recent study by researchers at Emory University reveals that psilocybin-assisted therapy, which uses psilocybin—the active ingredient in certain mushrooms—could offer an effective alternative for millions of Americans if approved by the FDA.
Published in Psychedelics, the study emphasizes the significant impact that psilocybin therapy (PSIL-AT) could have on a national level, not only for patients but also for policymakers and insurance companies who would play a role in making the therapy accessible.
According to lead author Fayzan Rab, an Emory University medical student, the study’s goal is to understand how psilocybin could affect public health if it became widely available, moving beyond clinical trials to explore how it could function in real-world healthcare.
Psilocybin therapy is currently undergoing clinical testing and has received FDA’s “breakthrough” status, which speeds up the review process due to its potential to treat depression.
The Emory study used data from individuals with MDD and TRD, applying guidelines to exclude patients with conditions like heart failure or diabetes who may not be suitable for psilocybin treatment.
Results suggest that about 56-62% of patients currently receiving treatment for MDD or TRD—5.1 to 5.6 million Americans—could qualify and benefit from this therapy.
This data-driven estimate provides the FDA with insight into the potential number of people who could be impacted if psilocybin therapy gains approval.
Rab explains, “This is how many Americans we think are at stake,” which he believes gives the FDA a concrete figure to consider when evaluating the therapy’s approval.
If approved, psilocybin therapy’s cost and availability will depend heavily on health insurance, both public and private.
For example, Medicaid, which covers 85 million Americans, could play a major role in setting demand for the treatment, as nearly 20% of Medicaid beneficiaries have clinical depression.
Whether Medicaid decides to cover psilocybin therapy will influence how widely it’s adopted and whether it reaches those most in need.
George Grant, co-director of Emory’s Center for Psychedelic Science (ECPS), highlights the broader potential of psilocybin therapy. He believes it could help people not only reduce symptoms of depression but also find a sense of meaning and satisfaction in life.
As an executive director for Spiritual Health at Emory’s Woodruff Health Sciences Center, Grant stresses the value of supporting mental well-being through treatments that allow individuals to thrive emotionally and spiritually.
One significant advantage of psilocybin therapy is its quick-acting effect.
Clinical trials have shown that even a single 25 mg dose of psilocybin can noticeably ease depression symptoms, potentially reducing the financial strain on the healthcare system compared to ongoing prescriptions for antidepressants.
In other words, psilocybin’s effectiveness after just one session could lead to lower long-term costs for insurers and patients alike.
Psilocybin therapy may be on the verge of a groundbreaking shift in mental health care, offering hope to millions dealing with depression.
With the FDA’s consideration of this treatment and insurers’ potential support, the future could hold a new, efficient, and accessible option for people seeking relief from depression.
If you care about mental health, please read studies about 6 foods you can eat to improve mental health, and B vitamins could help prevent depression and anxiety.
For more information about mental health, please see recent studies about how dairy foods may influence depression risk, and results showing Omega-3 fats may help reduce depression.
The research findings can be found in Psychedelics.
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