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Writer's pictureProfessor Moosa

Are patient expectations and suggestibility major factors in outcomes for psilocybin?



In a recent study comparing two treatments for major depressive disorder, researchers investigated how people's expectations and suggestibility influence their response to the medications escitalopram and COMP360 psilocybin. The study included data from 55 participants and used advanced statistical models to analyze the relationship between pre-treatment expectations, suggestibility, and treatment outcomes.


Surprisingly, even though patients had higher expectations for the psilocybin treatment, these expectations did not predict how well individuals responded to the psychedelic drug.


On the other hand, for escitalopram, higher expectations were associated with better treatment outcomes.


The study also found that individuals with higher suggestibility (a trait related to how easily someone can be influenced or persuaded) responded well to psilocybin treatment, but this association was not observed in the escitalopram group.


In conclusion, the results suggest that psychedelic therapy, specifically using psilocybin, may be less affected by patients' expectations than previously believed. Additionally, individuals who are highly suggestible might be particularly well-suited to respond positively to psilocybin treatment. These findings offer new insights into personalized approaches for treating major depressive disorder, highlighting the potential of psychedelic therapy for specific groups of individuals. ....article

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