Rapid and Sustained Symptom Reduction Following Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Life-threatening Cancer: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Overview

Journal J Psychopharmacol

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialty Pharmacology

Date 2016 Dec 3

PMID 27909164

Citations 439

Authors

Stephen Ross

Anthony Bossis

Jeffrey Guss

Gabrielle Agin-Liebes

Tara Malone

Barry Cohen

Sarah E Mennenga

Alexander Belser

Krystallia Kalliontzi

James Babb

Zhe Su

Patricia Corby

Brian L Schmidt

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Clinically significant anxiety and depression are common in patients with cancer, and are associated with poor psychiatric and medical outcomes. Historical and recent research suggests a role for psilocybin to treat cancer-related anxiety and depression.

Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, 29 patients with cancer-related anxiety and depression were randomly assigned and received treatment with single-dose psilocybin (0.3 mg/kg) or niacin, both in conjunction with psychotherapy. The primary outcomes were anxiety and depression assessed between groups prior to the crossover at 7 weeks.

Results: Prior to the crossover, psilocybin produced immediate, substantial, and sustained improvements in anxiety and depression and led to decreases in cancer-related demoralization and hopelessness, improved spiritual wellbeing, and increased quality of life. At the 6.5-month follow-up, psilocybin was associated with enduring anxiolytic and anti-depressant effects (approximately 60-80% of participants continued with clinically significant reductions in depression or anxiety), sustained benefits in existential distress and quality of life, as well as improved attitudes towards death. The psilocybin-induced mystical experience mediated the therapeutic effect of psilocybin on anxiety and depression.

Conclusions: In conjunction with psychotherapy, single moderate-dose psilocybin produced rapid, robust and enduring anxiolytic and anti-depressant effects in patients with cancer-related psychological distress.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00957359.

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