According to a systematic review published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, psilocybin use is associated with a significant reduction in suicidal ideation.
Researchers from over a dozen research hospitals and universities across the U.S., London and Canada analyzed data from multiple studies to assess the impact of psychedelic therapies on suicide-related outcomes.
Four clinical trials tested whether psychedelics affect suicidal thoughts, with three finding that psilocybin significantly reduced suicidal ideation. Two additional trials monitored suicidal thoughts as part of evaluating the overall safety of psychedelic treatments, reporting a decrease in suicidal ideation among psilocybin users, while another study found minimal impact. Three additional studies linked psilocybin use to a 40% to 75% lower likelihood of experiencing suicidal thoughts, suggesting it may help reduce suicide risk.
The effects of other psychedelics were less clear. MDMA-assisted therapy, especially in PTSD patients, showed a moderate drop in suicidal thoughts. In contrast, LSD was associated with a slightly increased risk of suicidality. Studies on DMT and combinations of psychedelics had mixed results, with no clear pattern.
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