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Psilocybin as a New Approach to Treat Depression and Anxiety in the Context of Life-Threatening Diseases—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

Ana Sofia Vargas, Ângelo Luís, Mário Barroso, Eugenia Gallardo, Luísa Pereira

Biomedicines September 5, 2020 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8090331 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Systematic review with meta-analysis Peer reviewed
Sample size 92
Population Patients with depression and anxiety associated with life-threatening diseases
Intervention Psilocybin
Topics Anxiety Psilocybin Depression
Keywords Context archaeology Beck depression inventory Depression economics Meta-analysis Clinical psychology Randomized controlled trial Intervention counseling Hallucinogen
Citations 121
Key findings Psilocybin significantly reduced depression and anxiety symptoms compared to control, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

Abstract

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring tryptamine known for its psychedelic properties. Recent research indicates that psilocybin may constitute a valid approach to treat depression and anxiety associated to life-threatening diseases. The aim of this work was to perform a systematic review with meta-analysis of clinical trials to assess the therapeutic effects and safety of psilocybin on those medical conditions. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to measure the effects in depression and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to measure the effects in anxiety. For BDI, 11 effect sizes were considered (92 patients) and the intervention group was significantly favored (WMD = −4.589; 95% CI = −4.207 to −0.971; p-value = 0.002). For STAI-Trait, 11 effect sizes were considered (92 patients), being the intervention group significantly favored when compared to the control group (WMD = −5.906; 95% CI = −7.852 to −3.960; p-value ˂ 0.001). For STAI-State, 9 effect sizes were considered (41 patients) and the intervention group was significantly favored (WMD = −6.032; 95% CI = −8.900 to −3.164; p-value ˂ 0.001). The obtained results are promising and emphasize the importance of psilocybin translational research in the management of symptoms of depression and anxiety, since the compound may be effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in conditions that are either resistant to conventional pharmacotherapy or for which pharmacologic treatment is not yet approved. Moreover, it may be also relevant for first-line treatment, given its safety.

Comparable studies

Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on psilocybin for anxiety, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Therapeutic effects of classic serotonergic psychedelics: A systematic review of modern‐era clinical studies Patients with cancer- or illness-related anxiety and depression, major depressive... 2020 Systematic review n = 188
Antidepressive, anxiolytic, and antiaddictive effects of ayahuasca, psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD): a systematic review of clinical trials published in the last 25 years Patients from included clinical trials 2016 Systematic review
The experimental effects of psilocybin on symptoms of anxiety and depression: A meta-analysis People with elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression 2020 Meta-analysis n = 117
Efficacy, tolerability, and safety of serotonergic psychedelics for the management of mood, anxiety, and substance-use disorders: a systematic review of systematic reviews Patients with mood, anxiety, or substance-use disorders, including cancer patients and... 2018 Systematic review of systematic reviews
A Meta-Analysis of Placebo-Controlled Trials of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy 2020 Systematic review

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Anxiety Psilocybin Depression

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Psilocybin for anxiety Psilocybin for depression