Psilocybin-assisted therapy for individuals with palliative care needs: A systematic review of safety and efficacy
Palliative Medicine December 18, 2025 Rita S. Matos, A. C. Silva, Licínio Rego et al. 1 citation
In a systematic review of six studies involving 74 adults aged 22–75 years in palliative care, psilocybin-assisted therapy produced clinically significant reductions in depression and anxiety. Between 57% and 79% of participants achieved at least a 50% reduction in symptoms on standardized scales such as HAM-D, HAM-A, BDI, and STAI. Improvements lasted up to 6–8 months in most trials, and in one follow-up study, up to 4.5 years. Adverse effects were mild and transient, including nausea, vomiting, and temporary increases in blood pressure and heart rate; no serious adverse events occurred. The evidence indicates that psilocybin-assisted therapy is both effective and safe for reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms in palliative care, though more research on integration into existing healthcare systems is needed.