A single dose of psilocybin may provide sustained reductions in depression and anxiety among patients with cancer and major depressive disorder, according to a recent study published by Agrawal et al in Cancer. Patients with cancer often experience depression. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in mushrooms.
Study Methods and Results
In the phase II trial, researchers assigned 28 patients with cancer and major depressive disorder to receive psychological support from a therapist prior to, during, and following a single 25-mg dose of psilocybin.
During clinical interviews conducted at 2 years, 53.6% (n = 15) of the patients demonstrated a reduction in depression, 50% (n = 14) of them reported a sustained reduction in depression as well as remission, and 42.9% (n = 12) of them experienced a reduction in anxiety.
Conclusions
“One dose of psilocybin with psychological support to treat depression has a long-term positive impact on relieving depression for as much as 2 years for a substantial portion of patients with cancer, and we’re exploring whether repeating the treatment resolves depression for more than half of the patients,” underscored lead study author Manish Agrawal, MD, of Sunstone Therapies. “If randomized testing shows similar results, this could lead to greater use of psilocybin to treat depression in patients with cancer,” he added.
The researchers are currently conducting an ongoing randomized, double-blind trial evaluating up to two doses of 25 mg of psilocybin vs placebo to treat depression and anxiety in patients with cancer. They hope their research will bring a larger majority of the patients into remission for depression and anxiety.
Disclosure: For full disclosures of the study authors, visit acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com.
