A study published in the peer reviewed journal Molecular Psychiatry has found that psilocybin-assisted therapy significantly improves emotional empathy in patients with major depression.
The study, titled Psilocybin increases emotional empathy in patients with major depression, explored the enduring effects of psilocybin on social cognition, using a randomized, placebo-controlled design involving 51 depressed patients.
Participants were assigned to receive either a single dose of psilocybin (0.215 mg/kg body weight) or a placebo, both embedded in a four-week psychological support program. Empathy levels were assessed using the Multifaceted Empathy Test at baseline and at intervals of two days, one week, and two weeks post-administration.
Results indicated that those who received psilocybin experienced marked improvements in emotional empathy, particularly toward positive stimuli, compared to the placebo group. These effects persisted for at least two weeks.
“This study highlights the potential of psychedelics to enhance social cognition in individuals living with depression and contributes to a better understanding of the psychological mechanisms of action of psychedelics”, concludes the study, with researchers noting that “Further studies are necessary to investigate the interaction between social cognition and clinical efficacy.”
