Norrsken Mind is funding research focused on the psychotherapeutic component of psilocybin treatments. This project includes analyzing data from two clinical trials, involving more than 120 patients, and seeks to better understand the therapeutic framework needed for safe and effective administration of psilocybin for depression. The project is led by Maria Beckman, Senior researcher at Karolinska Institutet, in collaboration with Johan Lundberg, Adjunct Professor at Karolinska Institutet.
Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, with many patients not responding to conventional treatments. Despite standard interventions like antidepressant medication and cognitive behavioral therapy, research suggests that more than half of patients do not achieve full remission. The high prevalence and significant disability associated with depression highlight the urgent need for more effective and fast-acting treatments.
Previous research has demonstrated that psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy, shows promise as a novel treatment for depression, even in treatment resistant cases. However, there is a limited scientific understanding about the specific psychotherapeutic factors that enhance its safety and efficacy. Addressing this gap is essential for advancing clinical practices and possibly integrating psilocybin treatments into standard psychiatric care in the future.
This study will systematically investigate the psychotherapeutic framework of psilocybin treatment by examining therapists’ training, in-session behaviors, and adherence to treatment protocols. It will include analyses of quantitative data - such as patient responses, psychological mechanisms, adverse events, and treatment outcomes from the PSIPET and CAPSI clinical trials - and qualitative data from interviews with participants, therapists, and significant others.
The findings are expected to inform the development of best practices for therapist training, therapeutic approaches, and patient care protocols, while also helping direct future research in psychedelic-assisted therapies.
This study is a collaboration between University of Copenhagen (UCPH) and Karolinska Institutet.
