It’s helping cancer patients cope.
Psilocybin, the active compound found in magic mushrooms, could offer significant relief for depression in cancer patients, according to a recent study published June 16 in the journal Cancer. The research found that a single dose of psilocybin, combined with psychological support, led to lasting reductions in depression and anxiety among individuals diagnosed with both cancer and major depression.
Dr. Manish Agrawal, CEO and co-founder of Sunstone Therapies and the study’s lead author, explained that one treatment session can provide long-term benefits, easing depressive symptoms for up to two years in many patients. The team is also investigating whether additional treatments might help more than half of those affected.
Depression affects roughly a quarter of people living with cancer, often worsening their prognosis, researchers noted. In the phase 2 trial, 28 participants received a guided 25-milligram dose of psilocybin alongside therapist support. Two years after treatment, about half experienced significant, sustained relief from depression, with around 25% maintaining improvements without further psychedelic or antidepressant use. Anxiety symptoms also showed lasting improvement in approximately 43% of patients.
Prior studies emphasize that these therapeutic effects depend on the presence of professional guidance during the psilocybin experience; taking the substance without support has not demonstrated benefits. The researchers highlighted the need for additional trials to explore the impact of repeated doses and to conduct randomized controlled studies to establish stronger evidence of psilocybin’s effectiveness.
“If these findings are confirmed through randomized trials, psilocybin could become a valuable option for treating depression in cancer patients,” Agrawal stated.
This study aligns with growing interest in the use of psychedelics for mental health treatment. For example, Texas has recently launched an initiative to fund research into ibogaine—a psychedelic substance still illegal nationwide—that advocates believe may aid in treating addiction, depression, and brain injuries.
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