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A clinical trial examined the effects of psilocybin combined with psychological support on cancer patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Results showed that a single dose of psilocybin had robust antidepressant effects in these individuals. Fifty percent demonstrated sustained depression reduction, while 43% experienced a sustained reduction in anxiety. The research was published in the journal Cancer.
Depression is a mental health condition that involves persistent sadness, loss of interest, and feelings of hopelessness. It is often accompanied by anxiety, which is characterized by excessive fear, worry, and physical tension. Both conditions are common psychological responses to the challenges of living with cancer.
Cancer patients often face uncertainty about their prognosis, undergo painful treatments, and experience changes in physical functioning, all of which can heighten anxiety. Depression may develop as a response to the emotional burden of diagnosis, fatigue, changes in body image, or loss of independence. These conditions can negatively affect treatment adherence, as patients may avoid appointments or struggle to follow medical recommendations.
Anxiety can also intensify physical symptoms such as pain, nausea, or insomnia, creating a cycle of distress. Depression may reduce motivation and energy, limiting the patient’s ability to engage in daily activities and draw on social support. Emotional distress in cancer patients is associated with a poorer quality of life and, in some studies, worse clinical outcomes.
Study author Manish Agrawal and his colleagues explored the impact of psilocybin combined with psychological support in 30 patients with cancer and a diagnosis of major depressive disorder. Some had curable, and others had incurable forms of cancer. The average age of participants was 57.5 years, and 19 were female. None were hospitalized for depression at baseline, and 61% were not receiving psychiatric medications. During the course of the study, two patients died, reducing the number of participants in the final analysis to 28.
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain species of mushrooms, often referred to as “magic mushrooms.” In the body, it is metabolized into psilocin, which affects serotonin receptors in the brain and produces altered perception, mood changes, and hallucinogenic effects. Research suggests that psilocybin may have therapeutic properties for individuals with anxiety and depression, particularly those who do not respond to standard medications. However, its effects are still being studied, and it can sometimes cause unwanted or distressing experiences.
Participants were assigned to small cohorts and received both group and individual preparatory psychotherapy. After a screening period that included two visits, participants underwent two baseline preparation sessions (one group and one individual). Each patient then received a single 25-milligram dose of psilocybin during a supervised six- to seven-hour session. Following the psilocybin session, participants completed two group and two individual integration therapy sessions. These sessions also included follow-up assessments of depression and anxiety symptoms.
The full intervention involved eight visits over the course of eight weeks. However, researchers also assessed mental health outcomes at 18 and 24 months after the start of the study.
Results showed that over the two-year follow-up period, no participants were hospitalized for depression. Sixty-one percent did not receive additional psychiatric medications, and the same proportion did not use additional psychedelic substances. Alcohol use decreased in six patients following treatment.
At the two-month mark, 25 out of 28 participants experienced a significant reduction in depression symptoms. At the 24-month follow-up, 54% of participants maintained significant reductions in depressive symptoms, and 50% met the criteria for remission. Notably, 25% of participants achieved sustained remission over two years after a single psilocybin dose and without any additional medications. Three patients received a second psilocybin treatment during the follow-up period.
Seventy-nine percent of participants showed reduced anxiety symptoms two months after treatment. At the 24-month mark, 46% still experienced significant reductions in anxiety. Five patients sustained these improvements over two years after receiving only a single dose of psilocybin. In total, 12 participants (43%) demonstrated sustained reductions in anxiety at the two-year follow-up.
“These findings demonstrate robust antidepressive activity from a single 25 mg dose of psilocybin combined with psychotherapy and suggest a potentially paradigm‐changing alternative to traditional antidepressants requiring further study,” the study authors concluded.
The study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that psilocybin may offer long-lasting benefits for mental health. However, it is important to note that the trial did not include a placebo or control group, making it difficult to determine whether the observed improvements were due solely to the psilocybin treatment. Other factors—such as the natural course of the illness or the effects of psychotherapy—may have played a role. Some studies suggest that 60% to 70% of individuals experiencing a depressive episode may achieve remission without treatment over a one- to two-year period.
The paper, “Long‐term benefits of single‐dose psilocybin in depressed patients with cancer,” was authored by Manish Agrawal, Kim Roddy, Betsy Jenkins, Celia Leeks, and Ezekiel Emanuel.
