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

Article · Stephen Ross, Anthony P. Bossis, Jeffrey R. Guss, Gabrielle Agin-Liebes, Tara C. Malone, Barry H Cohen, Sarah E. Mennenga, Alexander Belser, Krystallia Kalliontzi, James S. Babb, Zhe Su, Patricia M A Corby, Brian L. Schmidt

- Archive id: doi:10.1177/0269881116675512
- Published: 2016-11-30
- Venue: Journal of Psychopharmacology
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881116675512
- PMID: 27909164
- PMCID: PMC5367551
- Citations: 1,697
- Source URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881116675512
- PDF: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0269881116675512
- Provenance: openalex+europepmc

## Abstract

BACKGROUND: Clinically significant anxiety and depression are common in patients with cancer, and are associated with poor psychiatric and medical outcomes. Historical and recent research suggests a role for psilocybin to treat cancer-related anxiety and depression. METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, 29 patients with cancer-related anxiety and depression were randomly assigned and received treatment with single-dose psilocybin (0.3 mg/kg) or niacin, both in conjunction with psychotherapy. The primary outcomes were anxiety and depression assessed between groups prior to the crossover at 7 weeks. RESULTS: Prior to the crossover, psilocybin produced immediate, substantial, and sustained improvements in anxiety and depression and led to decreases in cancer-related demoralization and hopelessness, improved spiritual wellbeing, and increased quality of life. At the 6.5-month follow-up, psilocybin was associated with enduring anxiolytic and anti-depressant effects (approximately 60-80% of participants continued with clinically significant reductions in depression or anxiety), sustained benefits in existential distress and quality of life, as well as improved attitudes towards death. The psilocybin-induced mystical experience mediated the therapeutic effect of psilocybin on anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS: In conjunction with psychotherapy, single moderate-dose psilocybin produced rapid, robust and enduring anxiolytic and anti-depressant effects in patients with cancer-related psychological distress. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00957359.

_Abstract reproduced under CC-BY (publisher license, via OpenAlex)._

Topics: [Novel Psychiatric Therapeutics](https://space-kitty.com/topics/psychiatric-therapeutics)

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