EClinicalMedicine
September 24, 2020
B. Anderson, Alicia Danforth, Prof Robert Daroff et al.
271 citations
Psilocybin-assisted group therapy is feasible, relatively safe, and potentially effective for reducing demoralization in older long-term AIDS survivor (OLTAS) gay men, a population with high levels of demoralization and traumatic loss. In an open-label study, participants with moderate-to-severe demoralization received 8-10 group therapy visits and one psilocybin administration (0.3-0.36 mg/kg). The primary clinical outcome showed a reduction in demoralization from baseline to end-of-treatment and to 3-month follow-up, with a moderate effect size (partial eta-squared = 0.47, 90% CI 0.21-0.60). Groups may offer an efficient model for delivering psychotherapy alongside psilocybin to patients with complex needs.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
March 15, 2019
Alexander Trope, B. Anderson, Andrew R. Hooker et al.
113 citations
A systematic review of English- and Spanish-language publications identified experimental studies of psychedelic-assisted group therapy, an area overlooked by prior reviews that focused on individual psychotherapy. The review characterizes these studies by clinical approach, experimental method, and outcomes. It aims to generate hypotheses for future research on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, group process, and interpersonal functioning, given renewed clinical interest in psychedelic medicines.
Psychopharmacology
March 7, 2022
Aryan Sarparast, Kelan Thomas, Benjamin Malcolm et al.
85 citations
As MDMA and psilocybin progress through FDA drug development, this systematic review compiles existing research on psychiatric drug-drug interactions with these substances. It identifies which medications may alter the effects or safety of MDMA- and psilocybin-assisted therapy, providing a resource for clinicians and researchers. The review suggests that certain psychiatric drugs, such as SSRIs and other serotonergic agents, can diminish or alter the subjective and physiological responses to MDMA and psilocybin, while others may increase risks. The authors indicate that careful medication management is necessary during psychedelic-assisted therapy to optimize outcomes and minimize adverse events.
ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science
December 9, 2020
Christopher S. Stauffer, B. Anderson, Kile Ortigo et al.
65 citations
Attachment insecurity, measured as anxiety and avoidance, is an early-life risk factor for psychopathology. Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy may reduce attachment anxiety. In a study of 18 male long-term AIDS survivors with moderate-severe demoralization, attachment anxiety decreased significantly from baseline to three months after a single psilocybin session embedded in group therapy. Attachment avoidance did not change. Higher baseline attachment anxiety predicted stronger mystical-type experiences during the psilocybin session, while higher baseline attachment avoidance predicted more challenging experiences. These results suggest that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy could be optimized by considering individual attachment styles.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
December 6, 2023
Elliot Marseille, Manish Agrawal, Paul Thambi et al.
40 citations
Group psychedelic-assisted therapy, compared with individual therapy, reduces clinician costs by 50.9% for MDMA treatment of PTSD and 34.7% for psilocybin treatment of major depressive disorder, saving $3,467 and $981 per patient respectively. Using 2023 data from two trial sites and published prevalence estimates, treating all eligible U.S. adults with PTSD or MDD over ten years with group therapy would require 6,711 fewer full-time clinicians for MDMA-PTSD and 1,159 fewer for psilocybin-MDD, saving up to $10.3 billion and $2.0 billion. Adopting group protocols could lower costs, ease clinician shortages, and expand patient access.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
October 10, 2022
Christopher S. Stauffer, Melanie Brown, Dee Adams et al.
40 citations
Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people face higher rates of stigma, discrimination, trauma, and PTSD, yet are underrepresented in PTSD research. Clinical trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy show promise for treating PTSD, but issues of equitable access, power imbalances, and vulnerable states of consciousness are magnified for TGD people. Through three virtual focus groups with 17 TGD participants who had trauma-related mental health care, the study identified barriers to adequate gender-affirming and trauma-informed care, frustration with providers lacking cultural humility, and suggested protocol amendments including routine collection of trans-inclusive gender identity data, an explicit gender-affirming treatment approach, culturally safe settings, and diverse co-therapy dyads. Inclusion of TGD voices promotes equitable access and helps tailor research to community needs.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
March 14, 2023
Jonathan Brett, Elizabeth Knock, Paul Liknaitzky et al.
16 citations
Methamphetamine use disorder is a chronic condition with high relapse rates and limited effective treatments. Contingency management and psychotherapy show modest efficacy, while pharmacological options have little to no benefit. Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is emerging as a promising approach for substance use disorders, though no studies have yet examined it for methamphetamine use disorder. This review presents the rationale for using psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy to treat methamphetamine use disorder and describes practical considerations from early experience designing and implementing four clinical trials on this approach.
Journal of Psychopharmacology
June 18, 2024
Kim Hoffman, Alissa Bazinet, Kellie Pertl et al.
14 citations
Experts with extensive experience facilitating psilocybin experiences, including in ceremonial settings, indigenous practices, and clinical trials, developed a set of core measures to monitor the safety, quality, and outcomes of supervised psilocybin services. Through a three-phase e-Delphi process with 36 experts, 55 candidate measures were identified and then prioritized to a core set of 11 process measures (e.g., preparatory hours with client, documentation of touch/sexual boundaries), 11 outcome measures (e.g., adverse events, well-being), and 17 structure measures (e.g., facilitator training in trauma informed care). The findings suggest that service providers and policy makers should consider standardizing these measures for community-based psilocybin services.
Research Square
February 13, 2025
Ayanna K. Bell, Bianca R. Watt, Arturo S. Lopez Flores et al.
1 citation
Practice manuals and clinical guidelines for psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) show varying alignment with the American Psychological Association's 2017 Multicultural Guidelines, but none offer teachable instructions for delivering culturally responsive care. This gap points to a need for more comprehensive training of PAT facilitators to ensure equitable treatment for diverse populations.
March 11, 2026
Jason B Luoma, Kim Hoffman, Adie Wilson-Poe et al.
preprint
Oregon's early psilocybin facilitator workforce is relatively diverse, with many holding existing healthcare licenses, though training expenses pose a moderate-to-severe financial strain for most. The mean tuition across 16 active training programs was $9,359, half offered diversity scholarships, and the mean planned session price was $1,388. Facilitators most commonly specialized in trauma, mental disorders, consciousness exploration, and spirituality, and most were satisfied with training while requesting ongoing opportunities. These findings inform future policy and program development for a diverse and effective workforce.