Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy as a rapid-acting treatment for cancer-related depression and anxiety: Evidence from a network meta-analysis.
Study Goal
To evaluate psilocybin's efficacy in reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms in cancer patients based on randomized controlled trials.
Results Summary
Psilocybin significantly reduced depressive symptoms immediately post-administration, though effects were not sustained at 2 weeks. Anxiety symptoms showed substantial reductions both immediately and at 2-week follow-up, with the highest dose (0.3 mg/kg) being the most effective.
Population
Cancer patients
Effective Dosage
0.3 mg/kg (highest effective dose)
Duration
Single administration with follow-up at day 1 and 2 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
psilocybin | decrease | Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores | cancer patients | MD = -2.26; P = 0.01 | significantly reduced | #1 |
psilocybin | decrease | STAI state scores | cancer patients | MD = -11.52; P < 0.001 | showed substantial reductions | #2 |
psilocybin | decrease | STAI state scores | cancer patients | MD = -12.66; P < 0.001 | showed substantial reductions | #3 |
psilocybin | decrease | STAI trait scores | cancer patients | - | improved | #4 |
psilocybin (0.3 mg/kg dose) | decrease | Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) | cancer patients | SUCRA values of 87.81% | was the most effective | #5 |
psilocybin (0.3 mg/kg dose) | decrease | STAI state | cancer patients | SUCRA values of 91.58% | was the most effective | #6 |
psilocybin (0.3 mg/kg dose) | decrease | STAI trait | cancer patients | SUCRA values of 94.2% | was the most effective | #7 |
ObjectiveTo evaluate psilocybin's efficacy in reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms in cancer patients based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs).MethodsThis systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) followed PRISMA and Cochrane Handbook guidelines. PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library data up to July 2024 were analyzed. Two RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Changes in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores were assessed on day 1 and 2-week follow-up. The risk of bias was evaluated with the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0.ResultsPsilocybin significantly reduced BDI scores at day 1 post-administration (MD = -2.26; P = 0.01), though effects were not sustained at 2 weeks. STAI state scores showed substantial reductions at both day 1 (MD = -11.52; P < 0.001) and 2 weeks (MD = -12.66; P < 0.001). STAI trait scores also improved on both day 1 and day 14. The highest psilocybin dose (0.3 mg/kg) was the most effective, with SUCRA values of 87.81% (BDI), 91.58% (STAI state), and 94.2% (STAI trait).ConclusionsFindings suggest psilocybin may rapidly reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms in cancer patients, but methodological limitations, including the small number of trials, necessitate cautious interpretation. Larger, high-quality RCTs are needed to verify its clinical potential.