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Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy improves psychiatric symptoms across multiple dimensions in patients with cancer

Petros Petridis, Jack Grinband, Gabrielle Agin-Liebes, Connor J. Kinslow, Richard J. Zeifman, Michael P. Bogenschutz, Roland R. Griffiths, Stephen Ross

Nature Mental Health October 7, 2024 DOI: 10.1038/s44220-024-00331-0 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 79
Population Patients with cancer-related distress
Intervention Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy
Topics Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy
Keywords Psychotherapist Hallucinogen
Citations 10
Key findings Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy significantly improved six psychiatric symptom dimensions (anxiety, depression, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, obsession-compulsion, somatization) without inducing lasting phobia, paranoia, or psychosis in patients with cancer.

Abstract

Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) has shown promise in treating mood and anxiety disorders in patients with cancer. However, patients with cancer often suffer from more than just depression and anxiety, and so far, PAP's effect on other psychiatric symptoms remains largely unknown. To address this gap, we pooled previously unpublished data from two phase II, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trials involving 79 participants with cancer-related distress and analyzed PAP's effect on 9 psychiatric symptom dimensions: anxiety, depression, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, obsession-compulsion, somatization, phobia, paranoia and psychosis. PAP significantly improved anxiety, depression, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, obsession-compulsion and somatization without inducing any lasting phobia, paranoia or psychosis. Clinical improvements were consistent between trials. Together, our findings suggest that PAP has the potential to be a comprehensive mental health treatment for patients with cancer.

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

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