According to a new study from Mayo Clinic researchers, psilocybin therapy may help ease psychological suffering in cancer patients.
A new systematic review published in the journal Palliative & Supportive Care finds that psilocybin-assisted therapy may significantly reduce symptoms of psychological and existential distress in people with life-threatening cancer. The review was conducted by researchers at the Mayo Clinic and highlights consistent improvements across multiple studies.
The review analyzed 14 studies in total, including three randomized controlled trials, five open-label trials, five qualitative studies, and one case report. Across these studies, psilocybin—administered with therapeutic support—was shown to reduce depression, anxiety, and existential distress. In many cases, these benefits were sustained for several months following treatment.
The studies included in the review evaluated a range of participants and therapeutic settings, with most reporting mild and temporary side effects. Researchers used standardized tools to assess study quality, including the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for RCTs.
While the results were described as promising, the review’s authors emphasize the need for larger, more rigorous trials to confirm these findings and better understand how psilocybin may be integrated into palliative care. The study was registered with PROSPERO under CRD42024511692.
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