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Home/Research/Mescaline/Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Mescaline for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

5 papers and 0 clinical trials exploring mescaline as a treatment for major depressive disorder (mdd).

CompoundPhenethylamine

Mescaline

A naturally occurring phenethylamine psychedelic found in certain cacti, investigated for its role in religious practice and psychiatric research.

Full Mescaline profile
IndicationOver 264 million worldwide.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) represents a significant mental health challenge, with emerging research into the efficacy of psychedelics like psilocybin and ketamine offering new avenues for treatment. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of these compounds to alleviate symptoms, particularly in treatment-resistant cases of MDD.

Full Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) profile

Academic Research

5 papers
Open Accessmeta

‘Equal-unblinding’ meta-analysis of psychedelic therapy vs. antidepressants for the treatment of depression

In a pre-registered meta-analysis of 8 PAT trials (548 patients) and 16 open‑label traditional antidepressant studies (9,751 patients), psychedelic-assisted therapy was not more effective than open‑label antidepressants on the 17‑item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (difference 0.3 favouring tAD; 95% CI −1.39 to 1.98; p=0.73). This equal‑unblinding comparison emphasises that blinding integrity materially influences apparent treatment effects and that both PAT and tAD produced robust, clinically meaningful improvements.

Published
June 9, 2025
Journal
OSF Preprints
Authors
Williams, Z. J., Barnett, H., Szigeti, B.
Paywallindividual

Lifetime use of MDMA/ecstasy and psilocybin is associated with reduced odds of major depressive episodes

In a nationally representative sample of 213,437 US adults, lifetime MDMA/ecstasy use was associated with lower odds of lifetime (aOR 0.84), past‑year (aOR 0.84) and past‑year severe (aOR 0.82) major depressive episodes, and psilocybin use was associated with modestly reduced odds of past‑year (aOR 0.90) and past‑year severe (aOR 0.87) MDEs. Other substances were either unrelated or linked to increased MDE odds, and the authors call for experimental studies to test causality and therapeutic potential.

Published
January 5, 2022
Journal
Journal of Psychopharmacology
Authors
Jones, G. M., Nock, M. K.
Open Accessindividual

Naturalistic Use of Mescaline Is Associated with Self-Reported Psychiatric Improvements and Enduring Positive Life Changes

This survey study (n=452) found that the use of mescaline led to improvements in scores on clinical conditions for those suffering from clinical conditions (anxiety 80%, depression 86%, PTSD & AUD 76%). Those who scored higher on acute mystical experience (MEQ30), ego dissolution, and psychological insight had larger improvement than those who scored lower.

Published
March 23, 2021
Journal
ACS Pharmacology and Translational Science
Authors
Agin-Liebes, G. I., Lancelotta, R., Uthaug, M. V., Ramaekers, J. G., Davis, A. K.
Open Accessindividual

Changes in inflammatory biomarkers are related to the antidepressant effects of Ayahuasca

In a double‑blind placebo‑controlled trial of treatment‑resistant depression patients and healthy controls, ayahuasca produced a significant 48‑hour reduction in C‑reactive protein (CRP) and, in patients, larger CRP decreases correlated with greater reductions in depressive symptoms. No significant effects were seen for interleukin‑6 or BDNF, and these biomarkers did not predict antidepressant response or remission.

Published
July 10, 2020
Journal
Journal of Psychopharmacology
Authors
Galvão-Coelho, N. L., de Menezes Galvão, A. C., de Almeida, R. N., Palhano-Fontes, F., Campos Braga, I., Lobão-Soares, B., Maia-de-Oliveira, J. P., Perkins, D., Sarris, J., de Araujo, D. B.
Open Accessindividual

Psychedelics and mental health: a population study

This survey study that included psychedelics users (n=21.967, 13% of total) found no associations between psychedelics use and mental health outcomes. It even found a slightly lower rate of mental health problems for those who used psychedelics.

Published
August 19, 2013
Journal
PLOS ONE
Authors
Krebs, T. S., Johansen, P. ˚. Ø.

Clinical Trials

0 trials

No clinical trials have been tagged with both Mescaline and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) yet.

Trials are continuously being added as new studies are registered.

Explore further

Search all Mescaline papers Search all Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) trials Full Mescaline profile Full Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) profile