Acute Cardiovascular Effects of Psilocybin: A Pooled Analysis of 14 Studies with Safety Recommendations
Sandeep M. Nayak, Nathan D. Sepeda, Matthew Nielsen Dick, Praachi Tiwari, Zarmeen Zahid, Ceyda Sayalı, Brandon M. Weiss, David B. Yaden, Albert Garcia-Romeu, Brian S. Barnett, Frederick S. Barrett
medRxiv Preprint Server April 28, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.64898/2026.04.28.26351625 via medRxiv
Summary
Psilocybin is being researched for treating psychiatric and neurologic conditions, but there is a lack of comprehensive data on its cardiovascular safety. Many current trials exclude participants with blood pressure at or above 140/90 mmHg, a criterion that has been set conservatively without strong empirical backing.
Study at a glance
| Key finding | Comprehensive cardiovascular safety data for psilocybin are limited, and current trials often exclude individuals with blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg without robust empirical support. |
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Abstract
Background Psilocybin has increasingly been studied as a therapeutic for psychiatric and neurologic conditions, yet comprehensive cardiovascular safety data are limited. Current trials often exclude individuals with blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg, criteria established conservatively without robust empirical support.