Individual Experiences in Four Cancer Patients Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy
Tara C. Malone, Sarah E. Mennenga, Jeffrey Guss, Samantha K. Podrebarac, Lindsey T. Owens, Anthony P. Bossis, Alexander Belser, Gabrielle Agin-Liebes, Michael P. Bogenschutz, Stephen Ross
Frontiers in Pharmacology April 3, 2018 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00256 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Double-blind controlled trial Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 29 |
| Population | Patients with cancer-related anxiety and depression |
| Interventions | Psilocybin Niacin |
| Dose | 0.3 mg/kg |
| Topics | Anxiety Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Psychotherapist Hallucinogen Clinical psychology Thematic analysis Death anxiety |
| Citations | 128 |
| Key findings | Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy produced personalized experiences that frequently involved themes of self-compassion, love, acceptance of death, and past trauma, alongside rapid and enduring anxiolytic and anti-depressant effects. |
Abstract
A growing body of evidence shows that existential and spiritual well-being in cancer patients is associated with better medical outcomes, improved quality of life, and serves as a buffer against depression, hopelessness, and desire for hastened death. Historical and recent research suggests a role for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in treating cancer-related anxiety and depression. A double-blind controlled trial was performed, where 29 patients with cancer-related anxiety and depression were randomly assigned to treatment with single-dose psilocybin (0.3 mg/kg) or niacin in conjunction with psychotherapy. Previously published results of this trial demonstrated that, in conjunction with psychotherapy, moderate-dose psilocybin produced rapid, robust, and enduring anxiolytic, and anti-depressant effects. Here, we illustrate unique clinical courses described by four participants using quantitative measures of acute and persisting effects of psilocybin, anxiety, depression, quality of life, and spiritual well-being, as well as qualitative interviews, written narratives, and clinician notes. Although the content of each psilocybin-assisted experience was unique to each participant, several thematic similarities and differences across the various sessions stood out. These four participants' personal narratives extended beyond the cancer diagnosis itself, frequently revolving around themes of self-compassion and love, acceptance of death, and memories of past trauma, though the specific details or narrative content differ substantially. The results presented here demonstrate the personalized nature of the subjective experiences elicited through treatment with psilocybin, particularly with respect to the spiritual and/or psychological needs of each patient.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on psilocybin and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psilocybin occasioned mystical-type experiences: immediate and persisting dose-related effects. Healthy adults, mostly hallucinogen-naïve | 2011 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 18 |
| Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy vs Placebo in the Treatment of Adult Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder Adults aged 25–65 with DSM-IV alcohol dependence and at least 4 heavy drinking days in... | 2022 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 95 |
| Increased global integration in the brain after psilocybin therapy for depression. Patients with treatment-resistant depression and patients with major depressive disorder | 2022 | Open-label trial and double-blind phase II randomized controlled trial | |
| Single-dose psilocybin-assisted therapy in major depressive disorder: A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomised clinical trial. Adults diagnosed with major depressive disorder and no unstable somatic conditions | 2023 | Double-blind, randomised clinical trial | n = 52 |
| Implications for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy: functional magnetic resonance imaging study with psilocybin Healthy participants | 2012 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 10 |