Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial
Stephen Ross, Anthony P. Bossis, Jeffrey Guss, Gabrielle Agin-Liebes, Tara C. Malone, Barry H. Cohen, Sarah E. Mennenga, Alexander Belser, Krystallia Kalliontzi, James Babb, Zhe Su, Patricia Corby, Brian L Schmidt
Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116675512 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 29 |
| Population | Patients with cancer-related anxiety and depression |
| Interventions | Psilocybin Niacin |
| Dose | 0.3 mg/kg |
| Duration | 7-week primary outcome assessment, 6.5-month follow-up |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Mystical experience Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Cancer Psychedelic therapy psilocybin Treatment Psychotherapy Psychedelic compound Emotional burden Quality of life Psilocybin-induced mystical experience |
| Citations | 1,699 |
| Registration | NCT00957359 |
| Key findings | Single-dose psilocybin (0.3 mg/kg) plus psychotherapy produced rapid, robust, and enduring reductions in anxiety and depression in patients with cancer-related psychological distress. |
Abstract
Background: Clinically significant anxiety and depression are common in patients with cancer, and are associated with poor psychiatric and medical outcomes. Historical and recent research suggests a role for psilocybin to treat cancer-related anxiety and depression.
Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, 29 patients with cancer-related anxiety and depression were randomly assigned and received treatment with single-dose psilocybin (0.3 mg/kg) or niacin, both in conjunction with psychotherapy. The primary outcomes were anxiety and depression assessed between groups prior to the crossover at 7 weeks.
Results: Prior to the crossover, psilocybin produced immediate, substantial, and sustained improvements in anxiety and depression and led to decreases in cancer-related demoralization and hopelessness, improved spiritual wellbeing, and increased quality of life. At the 6.5-month follow-up, psilocybin was associated with enduring anxiolytic and anti-depressant effects (approximately 60–80% of participants continued with clinically significant reductions in depression or anxiety), sustained benefits in existential distress and quality of life, as well as improved attitudes towards death. The psilocybin-induced mystical experience mediated the therapeutic effect of psilocybin on anxiety and depression.
Conclusions: In conjunction with psychotherapy, single moderate-dose psilocybin produced rapid, robust and enduring anxiolytic and anti-depressant effects in patients with cancer-related psychological distress.
Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00957359