Published by The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, a new study found that psilocybin may quickly reduce depression and anxiety symptoms in cancer patients.
The research was conducted by scientists from LUXMED Group, the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, and the Medical University of Gdansk in Poland, the International European University in Ukraine, and the Baylor College of Medicine in Texas. Researchers performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, following PRISMA and Cochrane Handbook guidelines. Databases including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were analyzed through July 2024.
Ultimately, two randomized controlled trials met the study’s inclusion criteria. Investigators assessed changes in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores on day 1 following psilocybin administration and again at a two-week follow-up.
Results showed psilocybin significantly reduced BDI scores one day after use (MD = -2.26; P = 0.01), but the reduction was not sustained after two weeks. However, improvements in anxiety were more robust: STAI state scores decreased significantly both at day 1 (MD = -11.52; P < 0.001) and at two weeks (MD = -12.66; P < 0.001). STAI trait scores also improved at both time points. The analysis found the highest psilocybin dose tested (0.3 mg/kg) was the most effective, based on SUCRA rankings.
Researchers concluded that while psilocybin shows potential for rapidly alleviating depressive and anxiety symptoms in cancer patients, the limited number of trials and methodological constraints mean the findings should be interpreted with caution. They recommend larger, high-quality studies to confirm the clinical benefits.
