Psilocybin Plus Psychotherapy Offers Lasting Benefit in Cancer, Depression
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, June 16, 2025 -- For cancer patients with a major depressive disorder, a single dose of psilocybin combined with psychological support can provide sustained relief for depression and anxiety, according to a study published online June 16 in Cancer.
Manish Agrawal, M.D., from Sunstone Therapies in Rockville, Maryland, and colleagues examined efficacy outcomes at two years for patients enrolled in a phase 2 trial that demonstrated safety, feasibility, and efficacy of a single dose of psilocybin combined with psychological support in a community cancer setting involving 30 patients with cancer and a major depressive disorder.
The researchers found that 15 of 28 patients (53.6 percent) had a significant reduction in depression as measured by the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (average, −15.0 points from baseline) and 14 (50 percent) had a sustained reduction in depression. Overall, 13 patients (46.4 percent) experienced a significant reduction in anxiety as measured by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (average, −13.9 points from baseline), and 12 (42.9 percent) experienced a sustained reduction in anxiety.
"One dose of psilocybin with psychological support to treat depression has a long-term positive impact on relieving depression for as much as two years for a substantial portion of patients with cancer, and we're exploring whether repeating the treatment resolves depression for more than half of the patients," Agrawal said in a statement.
Several authors disclosed ties to industry, including Sunstone Therapies.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted June 2025
Read this next
Insomnia Plays a Role in Quality of Life for Patients With ADHD
MONDAY, July 21, 2025 -- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are associated with lower quality of life (QoL) in adults, and this association is only partially...
Seniors With Insomnia More Vulnerable to Inflammatory Challenge-Induced Depression
MONDAY, July 21, 2025 -- Older adults with insomnia are more vulnerable to depressive mood and symptoms in response to inflammatory exposure, according to a study published online...
Few Discontinuation Symptoms Reported After Stopping Antidepressants
THURSDAY, July 17, 2025 -- Most individuals do not go through severe withdrawal after discontinuing antidepressants, according to a study published online July 9 in JAMA...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.