Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy as a rapid-acting treatment for cancer-related depression and anxiety: Evidence from a network meta-analysis
Damian Swieczkowski, Aleksander Kwaśny, Michal Pruc, Zuzanna Gaca, Lukasz Szarpak, Wiesław Jerzy Cubała
The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine April 25, 2025 DOI: 10.1177/00912174251337572 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and network meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Cancer patients |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Dose | 0.3 mg/kg |
| Duration | Day 1 and 2-week follow-up |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Palliative medicine Palliative psychiatry Rapid-acting antidepressants Psychedelic medicine Psilocybin therapy Cancer mental health Anxiety treatment Palliative care |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key findings | Psilocybin significantly reduced depressive symptoms at day 1 but not at two weeks, and reduced anxiety symptoms at both time points, with the highest dose being the most effective. |
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate psilocybin's efficacy in reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms in cancer patients based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Methods: This systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) followed PRISMA and Cochrane Handbook guidelines. PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library data up to July 2024 were analyzed. Two RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Changes in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores were assessed on day 1 and on 2-week follow-up. The risk of bias was evaluated with the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0.
Results: Psilocybin significantly reduced BDI scores at day 1 post-administration (MD = 2.26; P = 0.01), though effects were not sustained at 2 weeks. STAI state scores showed substantial reductions at both day 1 (MD = 11.52; P < 0.001) and 2 weeks (MD = 12.66; P < 0.001). STAI trait scores also improved on both day 1 and day 14. The highest psilocybin dose (0.3 mg/kg) was the most effective, with SUCRA values of 87.81% (BDI), 91.58% (STAI state), and 94.2% (STAI trait).
Conclusions: Findings suggest psilocybin may rapidly reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms in cancer patients, but methodological limitations, including the small number of trials, necessitate cautious interpretation. Larger, high-quality RCTs are needed to verify its clinical potential.