Psilocybin
What you gain
A short course, benefits that often hold for months, and nothing to stay on afterwards.
What it asks of you
Two full days, self-pay in full, and a willingness to do the integration work that follows.
Comparison guide
Psilocybin or IV Ketamine for Depression
IV ketamine is the faster tool. Psilocybin is the one that asks less of your calendar once the course is done.
Answers at a glance
Comprehensive comparison
Psilocybin
Often 1–7 days after a supported dose, with the shift continuing to settle through integration.12
IV Ketamine
Often hours to about 24 hours after a clinic infusion — among the fastest onsets available.4
Psilocybin
Benefits often hold for weeks to months after one or two dosing days; trials commonly follow people out for many months.123
IV Ketamine
Relief from a single infusion typically fades within days to a couple of weeks, which is why courses are repeated.5
Psilocybin
Nothing to taper and nothing to take daily. The course ends, and the integration work is what you carry forward.
IV Ketamine
Symptoms commonly return when booster visits stop, so many people stay on a scheduled cadence.56
Psilocybin
1–2 dosing days, each a full day at a service center, plus preparation and integration sessions.12
IV Ketamine
About six clinic infusions across 2–3 weeks, then optional boosters if the benefit fades.6
Psilocybin
Legal Oregon and Colorado guided programs typically run about $850–$4,500+ for a course, paid directly.7
IV Ketamine
About $400–$800 per infusion, so roughly $2,400–$4,800 for a common six-infusion start.8
Psilocybin
Almost never. State-legal guided sessions are typically self-pay.7
IV Ketamine
Clinic infusions are rarely covered; most people pay cash. Coverage varies by plan.8
Psilocybin
Several carefully controlled studies support antidepressant effects after supported dosing. Not FDA-approved as a medicine.123
IV Ketamine
Many studies support rapid benefit for hard-to-treat depression; real-world clinic series show meaningful response rates, often with booster needs.459
References & sources
- 1Davis et al. (2021). Psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depression. JAMA Psychiatry. View study →
- 2Goodwin et al. (2022). Single-dose psilocybin for hard-to-treat depression. NEJM. View study →
- 3Metaxa & Clarke (2024). Review combining many psilocybin depression studies. View study →
- 4Nikolin et al. (2023). Review of ketamine dose and response for depression. View study →
- 5Murrough et al. (2013). How long benefits last after a series of ketamine infusions. View study →
- 6Sanacora et al. Expert consensus on ketamine use in psychiatry. View study →
- 7Oregon Health Authority. Accessing psilocybin services. View study →
- 8Indicative US IV ketamine cash-price ranges (market survey). View study →
- 9Alnefeesi et al. (2022). Real-world ketamine results across many clinics. View study →
Typical US ranges and outcomes; your care depends on screening and clinical need. Not medical advice.
Considerations
Every path has a trade
IV Ketamine
What you gain
Relief within hours and short clinic appointments.
What it asks of you
A standing schedule, repeat dosing to hold the effect, and costs that can keep going.