Mapping Psilocybin-Assisted Therapies: A Scoping Review
Ron Shore, Paul Ioudovski, Craig Goldie, Sandra Mckeown, Éric C. Dumont
medRxiv December 12, 2019 preprint DOI: 10.1101/2019.12.04.19013896 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Scoping review Randomized Qualitative |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 169 |
| Population | Participants in clinical trials of psilocybin-assisted therapy for addiction, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder |
| Intervention | Psilocybin-assisted therapy |
| Dose | medium to high doses of psilocybin |
| Topics | Anxiety Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Tolerability Adverse effect Randomized controlled trial Clinical trial Clinical psychology Hallucinogen |
| Citations | 8 |
| Key findings | Nine clinical trials demonstrated safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance use disorder, treatment-resistant unipolar depression, anxiety or depression in life-threatening cancer patients, and demoralization among long-term AIDS survivors. |
Abstract
Abstract We conducted a scoping review on psilocybin-assisted therapy for addiction, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Psilocybin is a naturally-occurring tryptophan derivative found in species of mushroom with psycho-active properties. From 2022 records identified by database searching, 40 publications were included in the qualitative synthesis from which we identified 9 clinical trials with a total of 169 participants. Trials used a peak-psychedelic model of therapy, emphasizing inward journey through the use of eyeshades, set musical scores and with medium to high doses of psilocybin. No serious adverse effects were reported; mild adverse effects included transient anxiety, nausea and post-treatment headaches. Overall, the 9 trials all demonstrated safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy in the treatments of obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance use disorder, treatment-resistant unipolar depression, anxiety or depression in patients with life-threatening cancer and demoralization among long-term AIDS survivors.The literature was found to be early and exploratory, with several limitations: only 5 were randomized controlled trials, small and homogenous patient sample size, difficulties in blinding, and the confounding influence of psychological supports provided. Further research is indicated to establish effectiveness for these and other indications, with a more diverse range of patients, and with differing program and dosing modalities.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin for anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelics as anti-inflammatory agents Animal models and cellular studies | 2018 | Review | |
| Ayahuasca: Pharmacology, neuroscience and therapeutic potential | 2016 | Review | |
| Psychedelic Drugs in Biomedicine | 2017 | Review | |
| A review of emerging therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs in the treatment of psychiatric illnesses | 2020 | Review | |
| Psychedelics and health behaviour change | 2021 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Therapeutic use of psilocybin: Practical considerations for dosing and administration Frontiers in Psychiatry December 1, 2022
- Effectiveness of Psilocybin on Depression: A Qualitative Study Electronic Journal of General Medicine April 27, 2021
- Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy: A scoping review of participants’ and facilitators’ experiences in qualitative studies Research, Society and Development September 24, 2023
- PSILOCYBIN IN PSYCHIATRIC PRACTICE AND PSYCHEDELIC-ASSISTED THERAPY FOR TREATMENT-RESISTANT DEPRESSION International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science January 28, 2026
- Unlocking the power of tryptamine alkaloids in Psilocybe fungi: chemistry, mental health potential and legal challenges Mycological Progress December 8, 2025
and 1 more in the library
Cites 29
- Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 23, 2012
- Psilocybin occasioned mystical-type experiences: immediate and persisting dose-related effects. Psychopharmacology December 1, 2011
- Acute, subacute and long-term subjective effects of psilocybin in healthy humans: a pooled analysis of experimental studies Journal of Psychopharmacology September 20, 2010
- Psychedelics as Medicines: An Emerging New Paradigm Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics November 4, 2016
- 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 Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology March 18, 2016
and 24 more in the library