The Psychedelic Drug Trial: A Cure for Depression? (w/t) for BBC Two from Grain Media has exclusive access to a ground-breaking new trial at Imperial College London.

The Psychedelic Drug Trial: A Cure for Depression? (w/t) for BBC Two from Grain Media has exclusive access to a groundbreaking new trial at Imperial College London. The trial sees for the first time ever, under controlled conditions, a psychedelic drug tested head to head against a standard antidepressant as a treatment for depression.

The film follows a pioneering team of scientists and therapists, led by Professor David Nutt, Dr Robin Carhart-Harris and Dr Rosalind Watts, as they compare the effects of psilocybin (the active ingredient of magic mushrooms) with an antidepressant, on a group of participants with clinical depression. This is scientific research at its most cutting edge. With 7.3 million people being prescribed antidepressants in England alone, this drug trial has the potential to revolutionise the lives of millions.

Filmed over 16 months, with access to every stage of the study, this film explores both the immediate and long-term impacts of the trial on the lives of participants. It investigates whether psychedelic drugs could help tackle one of the biggest medical challenges we face, and what it takes to conduct research in uncharted scientific territory.

Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Science and Natural History, says: “I’ve long suspected that psychedelic drugs - if used safely and correctly - have the potential to transform mental health, so I’m fascinated to see how this trial unfolds.

"As rates of depression continue to rise, it’s vital that we find effective ways to treat this debilitating condition - even if that means using substances which people may consider taboo.”

The Psychedelic Drug Trial: A Cure for Depression? a 1x60 for BBC Two is made by Grain Media. It was commissioned by Patrick Holland, Controller, BBC Two and Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Science and Natural History. The Commissioning Editor is Tom Coveney and the Executive Producer is Anna Murphy.

Notes to Editors
Antidepressants 7.3 million people (17% of the adult population)
Source: Public Health England - Prescribed Medicines Review Summary

Data released under the Freedom of Information Act shows that more than 7.3 million people were prescribed antidepressants in 2017-18
Source: The Guardian - Society