Study Overview
The study involved 51 cancer patients with life-threatening diagnoses and symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. Participants were given either a very low dose (1 or 3 mg/70 kg) or a high dose (22 or 30 mg/70 kg) of psilocybin in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial. The sessions were spaced five weeks apart, with a six-month follow-up to assess the lasting effects of the treatment.
Key Findings
- Significant Decreases in Depression and Anxiety: High-dose psilocybin produced substantial decreases in clinician- and self-rated measures of depressed mood and anxiety.
- Improved Quality of Life: Participants reported increases in quality of life, life meaning, and optimism, along with decreases in death anxiety.
- Sustained Effects: At the six-month follow-up, about 80% of participants continued to show clinically significant decreases in depressed mood and anxiety.
- Mystical-Type Experiences: The therapeutic outcomes were mediated by mystical-type experiences during the psilocybin sessions, suggesting a unique role of these experiences in the therapeutic process.
Methodology
Participants were recruited through flyers, internet, and physician referrals. The study used a two-session, double-blind cross-over design to compare the effects of low versus high psilocybin doses on measures of depressed mood, anxiety, and quality of life. The study also included measures of short-term and enduring changes in attitudes and behavior.
Implications
The findings suggest that psilocybin, when administered in a controlled, supportive setting, can offer significant and lasting relief from psychological distress in cancer patients. This research opens new avenues for the treatment of depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening illnesses, highlighting the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy in oncology.
Limitations and Future Research
The study acknowledges limitations, including the small sample size and the highly educated, predominantly White participant demographic. Future research should aim for larger, more diverse populations to establish the generality and safety of psilocybin treatment for psychological distress associated with life-threatening cancer.
