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The evidence

Follow the research.

A starting point for understanding the science: what has been studied, what researchers found, and what remains unanswered.

Read the findings in context.

These selected studies are educational resources, not medical advice or a complete review of the literature. Psilocybin, MDMA, and ibogaine are different substances; evidence for one does not establish the effects of another. The studies below used screening and supervised research protocols.

Sources reviewed November 3, 2026. A trial listing is not a treatment result, and research findings do not establish legal access.

01 · Randomized trials

Depression

Psilocybin with psychological support has been studied in depression. Results are promising, but trial participants, follow-up periods, and comparison treatments differ.

Psilocybin

Psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depression

Davis et al. · JAMA Psychiatry · published online 2020

Randomized trial · 24 participants completed treatment

The Johns Hopkins trial found greater short-term improvement in depression after immediate treatment than during a waiting period before treatment.

What this does not establish: Small study with a delayed-treatment comparison rather than an active placebo; it cannot establish long-term effectiveness for everyone with depression.

Read the source: Psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depression →

02 · Evidence depends on the population

Anxiety

Cancer-related anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder are different research questions. Findings in people with cancer should not be assumed to apply to all anxiety disorders.

Psilocybin

Psilocybin for anxiety and depression associated with cancer

Ross et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology · 2016

Randomized crossover trial · 29 patients

Psilocybin paired with psychotherapy was associated with reduced anxiety and depression in patients experiencing cancer-related distress.

What this does not establish: A small, specific patient population and crossover design limit generalization to other anxiety disorders.

Read the source: Psilocybin for anxiety and depression associated with cancer →

Psilocybin

Generalized anxiety disorder: registered psilocybin trial

ISRCTN14487299 · registered 2024

Trial registry · research underway

The registered study compares two psilocybin dose levels with psychological support in adults with generalized anxiety disorder.

What this does not establish: A trial registration describes planned research, not a positive treatment result. The cited record did not provide results at review.

Read the source: Generalized anxiety disorder: registered psilocybin trial →

03 · Different substances, different evidence

PTSD

The published phase 3 study below concerns MDMA, not psilocybin. Psilocybin-containing treatments are also being investigated, but those trial records are not proof of effectiveness.

Psilocybin + MDMA

Psilocybin and MDMA for PTSD in veterans (PAM-VET)

Johns Hopkins University · ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06989957

Registered phase 1 trial · no results posted at review

The study is investigating the safety and effectiveness of co-administered psilocybin and MDMA in veterans with PTSD.

What this does not establish: An investigational combination is not evidence for psilocybin alone, and a registered trial is not a published finding.

Read the source: Psilocybin and MDMA for PTSD in veterans (PAM-VET) →

04 · Randomized trial in alcohol use disorder

Addiction

Substance use disorders are not interchangeable. The trial below addresses alcohol use disorder specifically.

Psilocybin

Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder

Bogenschutz et al. · JAMA Psychiatry · 2022

Randomized trial · 93 participants

Participants receiving psilocybin and psychotherapy had fewer heavy-drinking days during follow-up than participants receiving diphenhydramine and psychotherapy.

What this does not establish: The study combined medication with substantial psychotherapy and does not establish effectiveness for every substance use disorder.

Read the source: Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for alcohol use disorder →

05 · Early pilot evidence

Treatment-Resistant Pain

Chronic pain research is at an early stage. Findings in fibromyalgia do not establish psilocybin as a treatment for all persistent or treatment-resistant pain.

Psilocybin

Psilocybin-assisted therapy in adults with fibromyalgia

Aday et al. · Frontiers in Pain Research · 2025

Open-label pilot · 5 participants

Participants reported improvements in pain and sleep after treatment. The primary purpose was to examine preliminary safety and feasibility.

What this does not establish: Only five participants and no control group: this cannot establish efficacy. Transient headaches and increases in blood pressure or heart rate were reported.

Read the source: Psilocybin-assisted therapy in adults with fibromyalgia →

06 · Research underway · psychological distress

Multiple Sclerosis

Research involving people with MS is examining psychological symptoms associated with serious illness. It is not evidence that psilocybin treats the underlying neurological disease.

Psilocybin

PsyPal: psilocybin therapy in palliative care

European Psychiatric Association · PsyPal project partner · 2026 update

Multisite randomized trial · participant recruitment update

The EU-funded PsyPal study includes people with multiple sclerosis among the populations being studied for relief of depressive symptoms in palliative care.

What this does not establish: This source describes research underway, not published efficacy results. It does not show that psilocybin slows or reverses MS.

Read the source: PsyPal: psilocybin therapy in palliative care →

07 · Randomized trial in life-threatening cancer

End-of-Life Anxiety

Studies have explored psychological and existential distress in people facing a life-threatening diagnosis. The aim is relief of distress, not treatment of the cancer itself.

Psilocybin

Psilocybin and distress in life-threatening cancer

Griffiths et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology · 2016

Randomized crossover trial · 51 patients

The Johns Hopkins study reported reductions in depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, with improvements still observed at six months.

What this does not establish: The selected cancer population and crossover design limit conclusions for other diagnoses and care settings.

Read the source: Psilocybin and distress in life-threatening cancer →

08 · Observational research · ibogaine

Traumatic Brain Injury

The veteran study below used ibogaine with magnesium and complementary care, not psilocybin. Its findings require controlled follow-up studies.

Ibogaine + magnesium

Magnesium–ibogaine therapy in veterans with TBI

Cherian et al. · Nature Medicine · 2024

Prospective observational study · 30 male veterans

Researchers observed improvements in functioning and psychiatric symptoms after treatment in veterans with predominantly mild traumatic brain injuries.

What this does not establish: No randomized control group; other care was also provided. This does not establish causation or prove repair of brain injury. Ibogaine has known cardiac risks.

Read the source: Magnesium–ibogaine therapy in veterans with TBI →

Keep exploring.

Find more published work in these research libraries. Their inclusion here is a resource link, not an endorsement of this organization or its proposed legislation.