Self-Reported Client Data on Therapeutic Outcomes For Depression & Anxiety

By MycoMeditations

Introduction

These longitudinal surveys assess the long-term outcomes of guests who attend psilocybin-assisted retreats offered by MycoMeditations in Jamaica. The previous announcement of clinically significant improvements in PTSD symptomology highlights the success of the psilocybin retreat model in assisting those suffering with PTSD, with results comparable to those seen in MDMA-assisted therapy clinical trials.

MycoMeditations’ longitudinal surveys are not and do not attempt to constitute either an academic study or a registered clinical trial in their procedure, structure, or review process. However, insights drawn from this data convey a need for additional research into the mental health therapeutic benefits of psilocybin and points toward efficacy of treatment models outside of standard clinical and laboratory contexts. All data shared by MycoMeditations was analyzed and verified by a third-party academic partner.

This grouping includes results for depression, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety.

Much like the previously released PTSD data, MycoMeditations’ psilocybin-assisted retreat model led to clinically significant outcomes across depression, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety, respectively, according to client surveys. These results also suggested long-term efficacy, with significant positive results remaining one year after the retreat experience.

All data represented here was collected between July 2021 and October 2023 with the consent of MycoMeditations clients. 

Population: Real-World Clients

MycoMeditations clients involved in this survey, while seeking therapeutic outcomes for MDD, GAD, and SAD, frequently suffer from comorbid conditions such as other forms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, substance use disorder, other forms of addiction, and other mental illnesses.

This population is a more accurate representation of real-world sufferers in need of therapeutic intervention than is otherwise found in the participant cohorts of clinical trials, in which such comorbidities are often screened out.

Preparation, Dosing, and Integration Protocols

The optional surveys were completed by clients enrolling in the seven-day psilocybin-assisted retreat program at MycoMeditations, where they received preparation for their psilocybin sessions, three dosing sessions spaced on alternating days, and group integration on the days between each dosing session. After the retreats had concluded, clients were also encouraged to participate in two group integration sessions via Zoom. 

Clients were administered dried Psilocybe cubensis, which is cultivated on-site and encapsulated into 0.5g capsules. MycoMeditations’ dosing regimen is standardized around the use of encapsulated psilocybin mushrooms with an escalating dosing protocol over the course of the three (3) sessions. The dose for Session 1 is virtually identical for all clients, however, the MycoMeditations protocol takes many physical and mental factors into account when determining the ideal dose for Session 2 and Session 3, as a tailored dosing method was found to be most beneficial.

The average dose in dried, encapsulated grams of psilocybin mushrooms taken by guests in each of the three survey groupings is shown below:

Major Depressive Disorder

• Session 1 = 3.73 (SD of ± 1.10) 
• Session 2 = 6.79 (SD of ± 1.73)
• Session 3 = 8.86 (SD of ± 3.10) 
• Total Retreat = 19.38 (SD of ± 5.17)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

• Session 1 = 3.59 (SD of ± 1.07) 
• Session 2 = 6.42 (SD of ± 1.61)
• Session 3 = 8.40 (SD of ± 2.84) 
• Total Retreat = 18.41 (SD of ± 4.62)

Social Anxiety Disorder

• Session 1 = 3.65 (SD of ± 0.92) 
• Session 2 = 6.24 (SD of ± 1.84)
• Session 3 = 8.06 (SD of ± 3.53) 
• Total Retreat = 17.94 (SD of ± 5.77)

Major Depressive Disorder Results

The depression dataset was examined using the PHQ-9 rating scale. A PHQ-9 minimum score of 10 (considered moderate levels of depression) was selected as inclusion criteria for a baseline response to be included in the dataset. The baseline results included 172 participants.

The baseline dataset, verified by a third-party source, determined that people suffering from moderate to extreme levels of depression (average PHQ-9 score of 15.63) experienced clinically significant reductions in symptoms at the below timepoints following the retreat, with average PHQ-9 scores along with percentage changes in symptoms relative to baseline and sample size (n) shown below:

1-Month:  6.40 (59.05% reduction), n = 80

3-Month:  7.67 (50.92% reduction), n = 52

6-Month:  8.77 (43.89% reduction), n = 44

1-Year:       7.82 (49.94% reduction), n = 23

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Results

The generalized anxiety dataset was examined using the GAD-7 rating scale. A GAD-7 minimum score of 10 (considered moderate levels of generalized anxiety) was selected as inclusion criteria for a baseline response to be included in the dataset. The baseline results included 155 participants.

The baseline dataset, verified by a third-party source, determined that people suffering from moderate to extreme levels of generalized anxiety (average GAD-7 score of 14.74) experienced clinically significant reductions in symptoms at the below timepoints following the retreat, with average GAD-7 scores along with percentage changes in symptoms relative to baseline and sample size (n) shown below:

1-Month:  4.56 (69.07% reduction), n = 66

3-Month:  6.85 (53.53% reduction), n = 41

6-Month:  6.90 (53.19% reduction), n = 31

1-Year:       6.00 (59.32% reduction), n = 17

Social Anxiety Disorder Results

The social anxiety dataset was examined using the SM-SAD-10-Adult rating scale. A SAD-10 minimum score of 19 (considered moderate levels of social anxiety) was selected as inclusion criteria for a baseline response to be included in the dataset. The baseline results included 64 participants.

The baseline dataset, verified by a third-party source, determined that people suffering from moderate to extreme levels of generalized anxiety (average SAD-10 score of 25.17) experienced clinically significant reductions in symptoms at the below timepoints following the retreat, with average SAD-10 scores along with percentage changes in symptoms relative to baseline and sample size (n) shown below:

1-Month:  6.66 (73.56% reduction), n = 32

3-Month:  12.50 (50.34% reduction), n = 20

6-Month:  11.83 (52.99% reduction), n = 18

1-Year:       15.38 (38.92% reduction), n = 8

Overview of Conclusions

• MycoMeditations psilocybin-assisted retreat model shows comparable positive outcomes as found within clinical research.
• MycoMeditations survey data shows better outcomes than biopharmaceutical company Compass Pathways in their Phase 2 studies of their proprietary psilocybin analog one month after psilocybin session(s) in Major Depressive Disorder.
• MycoMeditations survey reveals one of the first samples of long-term data revealing efficacy for psilocybin-assisted therapy in assisting with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder.
• Clinically significant improvements maintained one year following retreat for each Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety, and Social Anxiety.
• Support for multiple, short-term psilocybin doses; potential for unique psilocybin-assisted treatment protocols.
• Data supports the need for tailored dosing on numerous physical and mental factors rather than standardized dosing based on bodyweight.

MycoMeditations is proud to share these results in order to further demonstrate the validity and safety of psychedelic-assisted therapy in naturalistic contexts and retreat settings. The MycoMeditations retreat model demonstrably provides comparable levels of positive, lasting outcomes when compared to clinical settings for psychedelic-assisted therapy and clinical trials.

One month after retreat, MycoMeditations clients (n = 80) experienced 59.05% reduction in Major Depressive Disorder symptoms (15.63 at baseline to 6.40 one month post-retreat). In the research summary for Compass Pathways’ Phase 2 psilocybin analog study, participants (n = 79) experienced 37.62% reduction in symptoms three weeks after treatment, where least-squares mean changes from baseline to week three were −12.0 on the MADRS (31.9 to 19.9). 

Clinical trials examining the effects of psilocybin on either Generalized Anxiety Disorder or Social Anxiety Disorder are limited in number. MycoMeditations surveys reveal first-of-its-kind outcomes in the fight against anxiety disorders with psilocybin.

Retreat outcomes remained clinically significant one year after the retreat experience for each of the three disorders studied, indicating effectiveness in the MycoMeditations psilocybin-assisted retreat model. Few psilocybin clinical trials examine outcomes this far from treatment, which advocates for the long-term efficacy of psilocybin in general.

The survey outcomes highlight the benefit of three psilocybin sessions within one week when supported by trained psychedelic-assisted therapists during sessions and integration. The matching efficacy of multiple, short-term psilocybin sessions when compared to single treatments with prolonged periods between sessions as shown in clinical research indicates the safety, viability, and flexibility for varying courses of psilocybin-related treatments. This advocates for custom treatment options depending on unique patient needs.

MycoMeditations dosing protocols take into account numerous factors when determining the ideal psilocybin dose for a client. The optimal dose for each person varies significantly, and the MycoMeditations protocol realizes the need for a tailored approach to dosing in order to maximize benefits.

This data also emphasizes the utility of group psychedelic-assisted therapy, as MycoMeditations retreats are group experiences with up to 12 people assisted by therapists, with a typical facilitator-to-client ratio of at least 1:1.5, team to guests.