San Francisco Chronicle

A first-of-its-kind clinical trial suggests a single, short psychedelic session could deliver fast relief for postpartum depression. At NYU Langone and 37 other U.S. sites, 84 mothers took part in Reunion Neuroscience’s study of RE104, a psilocybin-like medicine designed to produce a ~4-hour therapeutic experience under clinical monitoring. One participant, Maci Philitas, described feeling like herself “for the first time in almost a decade” after her dosing day.\

Why this matters

• Fast, meaningful relief: Among women receiving the active dose, 71% met remission criteria within one week and maintained gains through one month, based on a standardized depression scale.

• Half-day clinical model: Unlike existing options (e.g., 60-hour IV infusions or 2-week oral regimens), RE104 aims for a single, supervised, half-day protocol.

• Function & bonding: Active-dose participants also reported improved confidence in caregiving (“I am a good mother,” “My baby and I understand each other”).

• Safety snapshot: The company reported no serious adverse events; most side effects (e.g., nausea, headache) were mild to moderate and resolved the same day.

• Access & equity questions: Breastfeeding was paused during the trial (early lactation data suggest minimal transfer in milk). Larger, longer studies and regulatory review still lie ahead; Phase 3 could begin 2026, with the earliest potential availability around 2029 if approved.

The bigger picture

• Postpartum depression affects ~1 in 8 new mothers, yet ~50% go undiagnosed. Current treatments can be slow to act or hard to access.

• Psychedelic research is re-emerging at major universities, and Colorado/Oregon have legalized supervised psilocybin services, though most psychedelics remain federally illegal.

• Advocates like Tracey Tee (Moms on Mushrooms) call the findings potentially “cycle-breaking” for maternal mental health, while clinicians emphasize the need for rigorous, scaled trials and careful screening.

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