A new study out of Oregon found that group psilocybin therapy led to significant improvements in quality of life for low-income individuals suffering from depression.
The study, first reported by KLCC, involved 19 participants who each took part in two group psilocybin sessions. All participants were in stable housing and receiving therapy, with no personal or family history of psychosis or mania.
Three months after the sessions, participants reported improvements in multiple areas, including sleep, fatigue, anxiety, physical and cognitive function, and overall well-being. Although some of the benefits—particularly those related to pain—waned over time, self-reported quality of life remained higher than before the treatment. On a 10-point scale, average scores rose from 5.9 to 7.4.
“It was safe, it was well tolerated, and we saw really meaningful improvements in their lives,” said lead researcher Dr. Matthew Hicks during an August 5 press briefing.
According to Hicks, this is the first psilocybin study to focus specifically on low-income patients. He said future research will look at whether the treatment is not only effective but also cost-saving—potentially reducing the need for ongoing therapy or primary care visits. That evidence could help build a case for insurance coverage.
The study was partially funded by the Sheri Eckert Foundation, which provides support for low-income individuals seeking psilocybin therapy. The psilocybin used in the study was donated by a Portland-based farm.
Unlike many other trials, this study allowed participants to remain on SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), a common class of antidepressants. Hicks acknowledged earlier concerns about serotonin syndrome when combining psilocybin with SSRIs, but noted that no serious adverse events were reported and that clinical evidence to date has not shown this to be a risk within therapeutic dosing.
“Serotonin syndrome has not been reported in clinical studies with psilocybin,” noted a recent report from Oregon’s Psilocybin Evidence Review Writing Group, supporting Hicks’ conclusion.
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