In a nonrandomized controlled trial, psilocybin was administered to groups of patients with cancer who also had major depressive disorder, using a one-to-one therapist-to-patient ratio. The aim was to develop a scalable, rapidly effective depression treatment. The trial suggests that this approach may offer a feasible model for delivering psilocybin therapy to larger numbers of patients while maintaining therapeutic support.
A single 25 mg dose of psilocybin combined with psychotherapy provided long-term relief from depression and anxiety in patients with cancer. Two years after treatment, over half of the 28 patients showed significant reduction in depression, with an average 15-point drop on the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale, and half maintained that improvement. Nearly half also experienced significant anxiety reduction, averaging a 13.9-point decrease on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, with 43% sustaining the benefit. The findings indicate a potentially paradigm-changing alternative to standard antidepressants for this population.