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Brian D. Richards

Maryland Oncology Hematology

8 papers in the library · 3,923 citations · publishing 2011-2025

Papers

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An international Delphi consensus for reporting of setting in psychedelic clinical trials.

Nature Medicine June 3, 2025 Chloé Pronovost-Morgan, Kyle T. Greenway, Leor Roseman et al. 26 citations

Psychedelic substances exhibit complex interactions with the 'set and setting' of use, that is, the mental state of the user and the environment in which a psychedelic experience takes place. Despite these contextual variables' known importance, psychedelic research has lacked methodological rigor in reporting extra-pharmacological factors. This study aimed to generate consensus-based...

Psilocybin‐assisted group therapy in patients with cancer diagnosed with a major depressive disorder

Cancer December 18, 2023 Manish Agrawal, Yvan Beaussant, Sarah Shnayder et al. 73 citations

Abstract Background Depression is common in patients with cancer and is associated with lower treatment adherence and reduced quality of life. Antidepressants and psychotherapy have limited success in improving depression among patients with cancer. This study explored the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of psilocybin‐assisted therapy in patients with cancer and major depressive disorder....

Assessment of Psilocybin Therapy for Patients With Cancer and Major Depression Disorder

JAMA Oncology April 13, 2023 Manish Agrawal, Ezekiel Emanuel, Brian D. Richards et al. 48 citations

This nonrandomized controlled trial used a 1-to-1 therapist-to-patient ratio to administer psilocybin to groups of patients with cancer who were diagnosed with major depression disorder to create a scalable, rapidly effective depression treatment.

Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in the Context of Serious Illness.

Journal of Palliative Medicine August 1, 2022 William E Rosa, Zachary Sager, Megan Miller et al. 49 citations

Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is a burgeoning treatment with growing interest across a variety of settings and disciplines. Empirical evidence supports PAT as a novel therapeutic approach that provides safe and effective treatment for people suffering from a variety of diagnoses, including treatment-resistant depression, substance use disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Within...

Development and Evaluation of a Therapist Training Program for Psilocybin Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression in Clinical Research

Frontiers in Psychiatry February 3, 2021 Sara Tai, Elizabeth M. Nielson, Molly Lennard-Jones et al. 87 citations

Introduction: Psychological support throughout psilocybin therapy is mandated by regulators as an essential part of ensuring participants' physical and psychological safety. There is an increased need for specially trained therapists who can provide high-quality care to participants in clinical studies. This paper describes the development and practical implementation of a therapist training...

Psilocybin-occasioned mystical-type experience in combination with meditation and other spiritual practices produces enduring positive changes in psychological functioning and in trait measures of prosocial attitudes and behaviors

Journal of Psychopharmacology October 11, 2017 Roland R. Griffiths, Matthew W. Johnson, William A. Richards et al. 528 citations

Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences with participant-attributed increases in well-being. However, little research has examined enduring changes in traits. This study administered psilocybin to participants who undertook a program of meditation/spiritual practices. Healthy participants were randomized to three groups (25 each): (1) very low-dose (1 mg/70 kg on sessions 1 and 2)...

Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial

Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016 Annie Umbricht, Mary P Cosimano, Roland R. Griffiths et al. 2,174 citations

Cancer patients often develop chronic, clinically significant symptoms of depression and anxiety. Previous studies suggest that psilocybin may decrease depression and anxiety in cancer patients. The effects of psilocybin were studied in 51 cancer patients with life-threatening diagnoses and symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. This randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial investigated the...

Psilocybin occasioned mystical-type experiences: immediate and persisting dose-related effects.

Psychopharmacology December 1, 2011 Roland R. Griffiths, Matthew W Johnson, William A Richards et al. 938 citations

This dose-effect study extends previous observations showing that psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having persisting positive effects on attitudes, mood, and behavior. This double-blind study evaluated psilocybin (0, 5, 10, 20, 30 mg/70 kg, p.o.) administered under supportive conditions. Participants were 18 adults (17 hallucinogen-naïve). Five 8-h sessions were conducted...