Study Shows Psilocybin Users with Depression Still Seek Conventional Treatment

Published in the journal Psychological Medicine on October 6, 2026, the study analyzed data from the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which included 6,793 individuals aged 12 and older who had experienced a major depressive episode in the past year. The findings reveal that approximately 7.3% of these individuals reported using psilocybin during the same period.

The research found no association between psilocybin use and a decrease in the utilization of outpatient, inpatient, or telehealth treatment. Moreover, there was no significant reduction in the use of prescription medications for depression among those who used psilocybin. However, 52.0% of psilocybin users felt their treatment needs were unmet, in contrast to 33.9% of nonusers.

Avery Eun, the study's first author and a second-year medical student at UC San Diego, highlighted that despite fears that psilocybin users might abandon conventional care, the data shows they maintain similar rates of treatment engagement. Eun emphasized the importance of understanding the motivations behind psilocybin use, indicating that discussions about care needs can help healthcare providers better support these patients.

The researchers noted that while psilocybin-assisted therapy has proven effective in clinical settings, many individuals may obtain psilocybin in less monitored environments, raising concerns about safety and efficacy. They also suggested that policy changes, like decriminalization, could improve patient safety and reduce stigma, fostering more open conversations about treatment options.

Additional authors of the study include Kevin H. Yang, MD, from UCLA, and Joseph J. Palamar, PhD, from New York University. The research received support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.