Journal of Psychopharmacology
January 1, 2022
James Rucker, Lindsey Marwood, Riikka-Liisa Johanna Ajantaival et al.
101 citations
A single dose of 10 or 25 mg psilocybin, given simultaneously to up to six healthy adults with one-to-one psychological support, did not impair cognitive function or emotional processing. Over 500 treatment-emergent adverse events were reported, mostly mild and resolving within a day, with no serious events or study withdrawals. Cognitive performance, measured by a Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery global composite score and domain scores, showed no clinically relevant differences between psilocybin and placebo groups. The findings suggest that these doses of psilocybin are generally well tolerated and safe for cognitive function in the short and long term.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
February 3, 2021
Sara Tai, Elizabeth M. Nielson, Molly Lennard-Jones et al.
87 citations
A therapist training program for psilocybin therapy, developed for a phase IIb international, multicenter, randomized controlled study of treatment-resistant depression, is described. The manualized approach, based on evidence-based psychotherapeutic methods and approved by the FDA, includes online learning, in-person training, applied clinical training, and ongoing mentoring. After training 65 health care professionals across the US, Canada, and Europe, feedback indicated that didactic and experiential learning helped build conceptual understanding and skills. Clinical training and participant care under experienced therapists were most beneficial and challenging. Rigorous, scalable training requires collaboration among public, academic, and industry partners.
Schizophrenia Research
March 13, 2026
Michel Sabé, Paul Grof, Nathan B. Sackett et al.
1 citation
Serotonergic psychedelics, which are being explored for treatment-resistant depression, might also help with depressive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs). Schizophrenia and depression share some underlying brain disturbances, including problems with dopamine, glutamate, and neuroplasticity, as well as abnormal brain network connectivity. Depressive symptoms in SSDs may combine features of both disorders, and psychedelics could potentially recalibrate maladaptive brain networks. Preclinical studies show psychedelics increase dendritic spines and BDNF and restore reward sensitivity. Clinical evidence is limited: uncontrolled psychedelic use is linked to increased psychosis, but controlled administration may be tolerated in stable individuals. Only one early-phase trial with MDMA in schizophrenia is ongoing; no randomized trials have tested psilocybin or LSD in SSDs. The authors conclude that psychedelics are biologically plausible but unproven for these symptoms.
Research Square
September 18, 2024
Shane Mageean, Anderson Daniel, Sara Tai
Cancer patients often suffer significant psychological distress, and current treatments often fall short. Psilocybin combined with psychotherapy may help, but oncologists, who are key gatekeepers to patient care, have not been well studied. Interviews with nine oncologists in England revealed five themes: their current approaches to distress, attitudes toward psychedelics, the need for quality research, service design, and distress across different patient backgrounds. Oncologists are open to psilocybin-assisted therapy but have concerns about safety and drug interactions with cancer treatments. Future research should explore these issues and include diverse patient groups.