Magnitude of response in treatment and control groups within psychedelic trials for psychiatric disorders: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has shown potential for psychiatric disorders. However, the magnitude of symptom change in control groups remains poorly understood. We aim to evaluate within-group effects in control groups and compare them to treatment groups in psychedelic trials.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted up to 1 July 2025. The study protocol was preregistered in PROSPERO (CRD420251111853).

RESULTS

Fourteen randomized controlled trials (n = 643) were included. Direct between-arm meta-analyses showed greater symptom reductions in treatment compared with control across outcomes, including depressive symptoms (number of study arms [k] = 13; SMD = -0.82; 95% CI = -1.17, -0.47; I2 = 60.1%), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (k = 10; SMD = -0.89; 95% CI = -1.14, -0.65; I2 = 0%), and anxiety symptoms (k = 5; SMD = -0.66; 95% CI = -0.94, -0.38; I2 = 0%). Subgroup analyses showed limited evidence that effects differed by placebo type for depressive or PTSD symptoms. Descriptive within-group analyses indicated symptom reductions from baseline in both control and treatment groups, with larger within-group improvements observed in treatment groups across outcomes; notably, larger within-group reductions in PTSD symptoms were observed in inactive placebo groups. Sensitivity analyses showed consistent results.

CONCLUSIONS

Control groups in psychedelic trials demonstrated substantial symptom improvement, which may reflect non-specific trial factors (including expectancy and concurrent psychotherapy). These findings emphasize the importance of robust control conditions in psychedelic research and the need for nuanced interpretation of treatment effects.