Evaluating the effectiveness of psilocybin in alleviating distress among cancer patients: A systematic review.
Palliative & supportive care April 22, 2025 Maria I Lapid, Sandeep R Pagali, Andrea L Randall et al. 9 citations
A systematic review of 14 studies (three randomized controlled trials, five open-label trials, five qualitative studies, and one case report) found that psilocybin-assisted therapy consistently reduced depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with life-threatening cancer. Improvements lasted several months. Adverse effects were generally mild and temporary. The review concludes that psilocybin therapy shows potential as an effective treatment for cancer-related psychological distress, but larger, well-designed trials are needed to confirm the findings.