Psilocybin Therapy: Depression Relief That Lasts (Even 5 Years Later!)

Here’s some seriously exciting news from the world of psychedelic science: a long-term study has found that people who received psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression are still feeling the benefits five years later.

Yes, you read that right — five whole years. For many participants, their depression didn’t just ease up after the treatment, it stayed in remission. That’s a huge deal for a condition that often requires daily medication, frequent therapy, and still doesn’t always bring lasting relief.

So, let’s break down what the researchers discovered, why it matters, and what it could mean for the future of mental health care.

Psilocybin + Therapy: A Different Kind of Healing

Psilocibīns is the natural psychedelic compound in “magic” or psychedelic mushrooms. When paired with psychotherapy in a clinical setting, it can do more than alter perception. It can spark deep emotional breakthroughs and lasting shifts in outlook.

Unlike antidepressants, which usually need to be taken every day (and often come with side effects), psilocybin-assisted therapy takes a very different approach: just a few carefully guided sessions can set off long-lasting improvements in mood and well-being.

The Original Trial (Back in 2021)

This new follow-up builds on a groundbreaking 2021 study at Johns Hopkins University. That trial involved 24 adults diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD).

• Each participant received around 13 hours of psychotherapy plus two psilocybin sessions.
• Results were striking: symptoms of depression dropped dramatically, and about half of participants went into full remission that lasted up to a year.

This success sparked big hopes… but the big question was: how long can these benefits really last?

The Five-Year Follow-Up

Fast forward to 2025: Researchers, led by Alans Deiviss at The Ohio State University, reconnected with the original participants. Out of 24, 18 agreed to take part in a detailed follow-up.

Here’s what they found:

• 67% were still in remission from depression: even higher than the 58% reported at the one-year mark.
• Even when researchers assumed that every single non-responder had relapsed, the numbers still showed a significant long-term benefit.
• Participants described their depression as feeling dažādi than before: less overwhelming, more manageable, and less likely to define their lives.

Pretty incredible, right?

The Human Side of the Story

Numbers only tell part of it. Through in-depth interviews, participants explained how psilocybin therapy had shifted their relationship with depression:

• Before treatment, many felt depression was an all-consuming, life-stopping weight.
• After psilocybin, even when symptoms reappeared, they described them as more situational un navigable.
• People felt more open to joy, more connected to life, and more willing to seek out other forms of support when needed.

Some did continue with antidepressants, psychotherapy, or even tried other psychedelics or treatments like ketamine. But most saw psilocybin therapy as the turning point that allowed those other methods to work better.

Safety and Limitations

Like any study, there are caveats:

• The sample size was small (just 24 people originally).
• Most participants sought other treatments in the years after, making it tricky to attribute visi improvements solely to psilocybin.
• People at high risk of suicide were excluded, so future research needs to include more diverse groups.

On the safety side, participants generally reported no long-term negative effects. Some described emotional sensitivity after their sessions, and a few found tapering off prior medications challenging, but overall, the therapy was considered safe, meaningful, and life-changing.

What This Means for the Future 🌱

While this isn’t a “magic bullet” cure, psilocybin-assisted therapy appears to be a catalyst for lasting change— helping people break out of depressive patterns and re-engage with life.

As Davis himself put it: “Five years later, most people continued to view this treatment as safe, meaningful, and important — something that catalyzed an ongoing betterment of their life.”

With larger trials already underway, and psilocybin services programs rolling out in places like Oregon and Colorado, we’re on the cusp of a new era in mental health care.

And if these results are any indication, the future of therapy might look a lot less like a daily pill… and a lot more like a carefully guided journey. 🌌✨