A Single Supported Psilocybin Session Was Linked to Months of Reduced Cancer-Related Anxiety and Depression

Two clinical trials published in 2016 examined whether one supervised psilocybin session could reduce anxiety and depression in people with cancer. The NYU trial included 29 participants and the Johns Hopkins trial included 51; both provided preparation, professional monitoring, and follow-up. After roughly six months, 78% of Johns Hopkins participants showed meaningful improvement in depression and 83% in anxiety, while 65% and 57% respectively met remission criteria. The NYU study found that about 60% to 80% still had clinically meaningful improvements around 6.5 months later. Participants also reported better quality of life, optimism, meaning, and wellbeing. More intense mystical-type experiences were associated with greater improvement, although this does not prove causation. The findings support further research into carefully supervised psychedelic-assisted therapy, not unsupervised use.