The experimental effects of psilocybin on symptoms of anxiety and depression: A meta-analysis
Simon B. Goldberg, Brian T. Pace, Christopher R. Nicholas, Charles L. Raison, Paul R. Hutson
Psychiatry Research January 2, 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112749 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Meta-analysis Randomized Placebo-controlled Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 117 |
| Population | People with elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression |
| Interventions | psilocybin behavioral interventions |
| Topics | Anxiety Psilocybin Depression |
| Keywords | Placebo Meta-analysis Depression economics Randomized controlled trial Adverse effect Clinical psychology Psychological intervention Hallucinogen Alternative medicine |
| Citations | 234 |
| Key findings | Psilocybin combined with behavioral interventions produced large, statistically significant reductions in anxiety and depression compared to placebo, with no serious adverse events. |
Abstract
The current meta-analysis examined the effects of psilocybin in combination with behavioral interventions on anxiety and depression in samples with elevated symptoms. Across four studies (one uncontrolled; three randomized, placebo-controlled; N = 117), within-group pre-post and pre-follow-up effects on anxiety and depression were large (Hedges' gs=1.16 to 1.47) and statistically significant. Across three placebo-controlled studies, pre-post placebo-controlled effects were also large (gs = 0.82 to 0.83) and statistically significant. No serious adverse events were reported. Limitations include the small number of studies and risk for bias within studies. Results tentatively support future research on psilocybin for the treatment of anxiety and depression.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on psilocybin for anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 179
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
- Psilocybin-assisted group therapy for demoralized older long-term AIDS survivor men: An open-label safety and feasibility pilot study EClinicalMedicine September 24, 2020
- Hallucinogens in Mental Health: Preclinical and Clinical Studies on LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, and Ketamine Journal of Neuroscience November 30, 2020
- Psilocybin therapy for females with anorexia nervosa: a phase 1, open-label feasibility study Nature Medicine July 24, 2023
- Molecular Mechanisms of Psilocybin and Implications for the Treatment of Depression CNS Drugs November 17, 2021
and 174 more in the library
Cites 9
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016
- Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Archives of General Psychiatry September 7, 2010
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
and 4 more in the library