β
Outcome MeasureDepression

BDI-1A

Beck Depression Inventory – Version 1A

5 Papers in Blossom

Clinical Thresholds

063
Minimal
Score 0–9
Mild
Score 10–18
Moderate
Score 19–29
Severe
Score 30–63

Outcome Data Across Studies

Reported results for BDI-1A across 5 studies with quantitative data.

Outcome data across 14 study arm–timepoint observations
SD
Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression
2021Secondary
Psilocybin + placebo(experimental)42——Δ——
Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression
2021Secondary
Psilocybin + escitalopram(active_comparator)42——Δ——
A Bayesian Reanalysis of a Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression
2022Secondary
Psilocybin + placebo(experimental)42————
A Bayesian Reanalysis of a Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression
2022Secondary
Psilocybin + escitalopram(active_comparator)42————
Psychedelics and the 'inner healer': Myth or mechanism?
2024Secondary
Psilocybin + placebo(experimental)14——Δ——
Psychedelics and the 'inner healer': Myth or mechanism?
2024Secondary
Psilocybin + escitalopram(active_comparator)14——Δ——
Unique Psychological Mechanisms Underlying Psilocybin Therapy Versus Escitalopram Treatment in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder
2024Secondary
Psilocybin + placebo(experimental)030———
Unique Psychological Mechanisms Underlying Psilocybin Therapy Versus Escitalopram Treatment in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder
2024Secondary
Psilocybin + escitalopram(active_comparator)029———
Unique Psychological Mechanisms Underlying Psilocybin Therapy Versus Escitalopram Treatment in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder
2024Secondary
Psilocybin + placebo(experimental)4230———
Unique Psychological Mechanisms Underlying Psilocybin Therapy Versus Escitalopram Treatment in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder
2024Secondary
Psilocybin + escitalopram(active_comparator)4229———

Papers Using BDI-1A

Paywallindividual

The effects of psilocybin therapy versus escitalopram on cognitive bias: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

This secondary analysis of an RCT comparing psilocybin therapy to escitalopram in MDD patients (n=59) found that psilocybin produced superior improvements in cognitive biases. Psilocybin significantly increased self-reported optimism (d=1.1) and optimistic beliefs about desirable life events (d=1.1), while improving all three domains of dysfunctional attitudes (achievement, dependency, and self-control). Escitalopram showed more modest effects, reducing pessimism about negative events and improving only the achievement domain of dysfunctional attitudes.

Published
Journal
European Neuropsychopharmacology
Authors
Henry, J., Giribaldi, B., Nutt, D. J., Erritzoe, D., Carhart-Harris, R., Lyons, T.
Open Accessindividual

Psychedelics and the 'inner healer': Myth or mechanism?

In a double-blind randomised controlled trial in 59 depressed patients, a single high (25 mg) psilocybin dose produced higher self-rated "inner healer" scores than a 1 mg control, and within the high-dose group those scores predicted greater improvement in depressive symptoms at two weeks. The authors conclude that the idea psychedelics activate intrinsic healing mechanisms is preliminary but merits further empirical investigation.

Published
Journal
Journal of Psychopharmacology
Authors
Peill, J. M., Marguilho, M., Erritzoe, D., Barba, T., Greenway, K. T., Rosas, F. E., Timmermann, C., Carhart-Harris, R. L.
Open Accessindividual

Unique Psychological Mechanisms Underlying Psilocybin Therapy Versus Escitalopram Treatment in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

In a phase 2 double‑blind randomized trial comparing psilocybin therapy with escitalopram for moderate‑to‑severe major depressive disorder, acute subjective experiences—particularly mystical experiences and ego dissolution—uniquely mediated the superior antidepressant response to psilocybin over a six‑week period. Emotional breakthrough and intense music‑evoked responses were also associated with greater symptom improvement, providing qualified support that acute psychological experiences may be causal mechanisms in psilocybin’s antidepressant effects.

Published
Journal
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
Authors
Weiss, B., Leor Roseman, •., Giribaldi, B., Nutt, D. J., Carhart-Harris, R. L., Erritzoe, D., Roseman, L.
Open Accessindividual

A Bayesian Reanalysis of a Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression

Using Bayes factors with sceptical priors to reanalyse a randomised trial (n=59), the authors found that psilocybin statistically outperformed escitalopram on several depression scales but generally not by clinically meaningful margins (with HAMD‑17 showing moderate evidence for a clinically meaningful benefit), while providing extremely strong evidence of non‑inferiority; results were robust to prior sensitivity. This Bayesian reanalysis offers a more precise, nuanced interpretation of an otherwise indeterminate frequentist outcome and supports further comparative research on psilocybin therapy for depression.

Published
Journal
Psyarxiv
Authors
Nayak, S. M., Bari, B. A., Yaden, D. B., Spriggs, M. J., Rosas, F. E., Peill, J. M., Giribaldi, B., Erritzoe, D., Nutt, D. J., Carhart-Harris, R.
Open Accessindividual

Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression

This double-blind placebo-controlled study (n=59) compared psilocybin (2x25mg; 3 weeks apart) to escitalopram (SSRI) over a six-week period and found large improvements in depression scores for those suffering from depression (MDD) in both groups. On the main measure of depression, the QIDS-SR-16, there was no significant difference between both groups. The study did find significant differences, favoring psilocybin, on the HAM-D-17, MADRS, avoidance, flourishing, wellbeing, and suicidality.

Published
Journal
New England Journal of Medicine
Authors
Carhart-Harris, R. L., Giribaldi, B., Watts, R., Baker-Jones, M., Murphy, R., Murphy-Beiner, A., Martell, J., Blemings, A., Erritzoe, D., Nutt, D. J.

Quick Facts

Full Name
Beck Depression Inventory – Version 1A
Domain
Depression
Papers Indexed
5
Score Range
0–63
Interpretation
Lower = better
All Measures