Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy · Consciousness

Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial

Ross S, Bossis A, Guss J, et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2016

This NYU trial, published alongside a similar Johns Hopkins study, examined a single moderate dose of psilocybin given with psychotherapy for anxiety and depression linked to cancer. Twenty-nine patients were randomly assigned in a double-blind crossover design to psilocybin or niacin, an active placebo, with therapy in both conditions. In this study, psilocybin was followed by rapid and lasting reductions in anxiety and depression, less demoralization and hopelessness, and better spiritual wellbeing and quality of life. At about six and a half months, roughly 60 to 80% of participants still had clinically significant reductions. As in the companion study, the intensity of the mystical experience was linked to the benefit. The small sample is an important limitation. Psilocybin remains a Schedule I substance under US federal law, and regulated access currently exists only through state programs in Oregon and Colorado; it is not available in New Jersey.

Our summaries describe what each study found. They are not medical advice, and the practices at Halcyon are not a treatment for any condition.