Archive · 25 Jun 2025
Psilocybin Study Shows Promise for Depression Relief in Cancer Patients
Imagine a medicine from magic mushrooms helping cancer patients feel better.
A study gave one dose of this medicine, called psilocybin, and therapy to people with cancer and depression.
More than half felt less depressed for over two years.
Scientists are now testing multiple doses to help even more people feel better.
They hope this could become a new standard treatment.
Single dose of psilocybin, combined with therapy, reduced emotional distress in cancer patients.
Effects of psilocybin lasted over two years for many participants.
The study involved 28 cancer patients with major depressive disorder.
53.6% of patients showed significant depression reduction after two years.
Researchers are expanding the study to include multiple doses and larger samples.
- Who
- Researchers studied cancer patients with depression and anxiety.
- What
- A single dose of psilocybin, with therapy, was tested for depression and anxiety relief in cancer patients.
- When
- The study's effects were observed for up to two years.
- Where
- Published online in the journal Cancer, by Wiley.
- Why
- To explore a new treatment option for depression and anxiety in cancer patients.
- Drug Used
- Psilocybin (from magic mushrooms)
- Study Focus
- Depression and anxiety in cancer patients
- Patients Involved
- 28
- Dose
- Single 25-mg dose
- Therapy
- Psychological support before, during, and after the dose
- Significant Depression Reduction
- 53.6% of patients after 2 years
- Significant Anxiety Reduction
- 42.9% of patients after 2 years