A number of patients in Edinburgh and Glasgow with treatment-resistant depression could soon be offered psychedelic drugs as part of a clinical trial.

A Scottish arm of a worldwide clinical study exploring the safety and effectiveness of investigational psilocybin – the psychoactive ingredient found in magic mushrooms – in the treatment of depression is expected to begin later this summer.

In the first study of its kind to take place in Scotland, participants will be given the psilocybin treatment in a safe therapy room and receive specialist psychologist support from local therapists.

Preparations are now in the final stages, and the research team led by Dr Donald MacIntyre hope that local approvals to comply with Home Office regulations will soon be granted.

Dr MacIntyre said the need to address depression resistant to existing therapies is increasingly a priority because of a global mental health crisis exacerbated by COVID-19.

He added: “It is thought that more than 100 million people worldwide suffer from the devastating effects of treatment-resistant depression. That is a staggering figure, and here in Scotland, it remains a significant issue which we must attempt to address.

“Following approval to conduct this study from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) last year, we are pleased to have the opportunity to research potential new treatments in such a problematic area.”

Psilocybin is being studied around the world as a possible treatment option for a range of mental illnesses, including anxiety and addiction.

This new research in Scotland is supported by NHS Research Scotland Mental Health Network, as part of a global study sponsored by biotechnology company Compass Pathways.

Catherine Deith, Network Manager, said the organisation is keen to support the research, which could signal a move towards being able to offer new treatments to patients who could benefit most:

“With a special therapy room set up in Edinburgh, the study drug will be administered to patients recruited locally, including from both Glasgow and Edinburgh.

“The key aim is to further rigorously evaluate how it could help to tackle treatment resistant depressions and, if demonstrated, potentially move a step closer to making this treatment accessible to patients.”

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