Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial
Study
Psilocybin to treat depression and anxiety in cancer patients (n=51), with a control (1 or 3mg) and experimental group (22 or 30mg)
Results
Participants who received the large-dose showed significant decreases in self-rated measures of depressed mood and anxiety, along with increases in quality of life, life meaning, and optimism, and decreases in death anxiety. At 6-month follow-up, about 80% of participants continued to show clinically significant decreases in depressed mood and anxiety. Additionally, participants reported improved attitudes about life/self, mood, relationships, and spirituality to the high-dose experience, with more than 80% claiming moderately or greatly increased well-being/life satisfaction.
Discussion
Psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms) shows promise as a therapeutic tool for treating both depression and anxiety, as well as improving general life satisfaction.
Citation
Griffiths, R. R., Johnson, M. W., Carducci, M. A., Umbricht, A., Richards, W. A., Richards, B. D., Cosimano, M. P., & Klinedinst, M. A. (2016). Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial. Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England), 30(12), 1181–1197. doi:10.1177/0269881116675513
