Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial
Annie Umbricht, Mary P Cosimano, Roland R. Griffiths, Matthew W. Johnson, Michael A. Carducci, William A. Richards, Brian D. Richards, Margaret A Klinedinst
Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116675513 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Double-blind Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 51 |
| Population | Cancer patients with life-threatening diagnoses and symptoms of depression and/or anxiety |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Dose | 1 or 3 mg/70 kg (very low dose) vs. 22 or 30 mg/70 kg (high dose) |
| Duration | 5 weeks between sessions, 6-month follow-up |
| Topics | Anxiety Psilocybin Depression |
| Keywords | Mood Randomized controlled trial Placebo Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 2,174 |
| Registration | NCT00465595 |
| Key findings | High-dose psilocybin produced large and sustained decreases in depressed mood and anxiety, with about 80% of participants showing clinically significant improvement at 6-month follow-up. |
Abstract
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 effects of a very low (placebo-like) dose (1 or 3 mg/70 kg) vs. a high dose (22 or 30 mg/70 kg) of psilocybin administered in counterbalanced sequence with 5 weeks between sessions and a 6-month follow-up. Instructions to participants and staff minimized expectancy effects. Participants, staff, and community observers rated participant moods, attitudes, and behaviors throughout the study. High-dose psilocybin produced large decreases in clinician- and self-rated measures of depressed mood and anxiety, along with increases in quality of life, life meaning, and optimism, and decreases in death anxiety. At 6-month follow-up, these changes were sustained, with about 80% of participants continuing to show clinically significant decreases in depressed mood and anxiety. Participants attributed improvements in attitudes about life/self, mood, relationships, and spirituality to the high-dose experience, with >80% endorsing moderately or greater increased well-being/life satisfaction. Community observer ratings showed corresponding changes. Mystical-type psilocybin experience on session day mediated the effect of psilocybin dose on therapeutic outcomes. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00465595
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for 4 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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High-dose psilocybin produced large decreases in clinician- and self-rated anxiety and depressed mood, with about 80% showing clinically significant improvement sustained at 6 months.
Synthesized
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High-dose psilocybin produced large and sustained decreases in depressed mood and anxiety, with about 80% of participants showing clinically significant improvement at 6-month follow-up.
Synthesized
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State of the evidence: Anxiety Supports
High-dose psilocybin produced large and sustained decreases in anxiety and depression, with about 80% of participants showing clinically significant improvement at 6-month follow-up.
Synthesized
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State of the evidence: Depression Supports
High-dose psilocybin produced large and sustained decreases in depressed mood and anxiety, with about 80% of participants showing clinically significant improvement at 6-month follow-up.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on psilocybin for anxiety, most cited first.