Cancer
December 18, 2023
Manish Agrawal, Yvan Beaussant, Sarah Shnayder et al.
73 citations
A single 25-mg dose of psilocybin, administered alongside one-to-one and group therapeutic support, was safe and feasible for patients with curable and noncurable cancer who also had major depressive disorder. In a phase 2 open-label trial with 30 participants, no serious adverse events or suicidality occurred, and mild side effects like nausea and headache were as expected. Depression severity scores dropped by an average of 19.1 points from baseline to eight weeks after treatment. Eighty percent of participants showed a sustained response, and half achieved full remission of depressive symptoms by week one that lasted for eight weeks. The group-oriented format and compact delivery in a community cancer center may add to therapeutic gains.
Journal of affective disorders
February 15, 2023
Sarah Shnayder, Rezvan Ameli, Ninet Sinaii et al.
67 citations
Psilocybin-assisted therapy improved psycho-social-spiritual well-being in cancer patients with major depressive disorder, as measured by the NIH-HEALS. In a Phase II open-label trial, 30 participants received 25 mg of psilocybin with group preparation and integration sessions. NIH-HEALS scores increased significantly after treatment, with gains in all three factors: Connection (12.7%), Reflection & Introspection (7.7%), and Trust & Acceptance (22.4%). Improvements appeared by day 1 and persisted through 8 weeks. The study lacked a control group, relied on self-reports, and had a small, limited sample, restricting generalizability. The results suggest that Connection, Reflection & Introspection, and Trust & Acceptance are key elements of psycho-social-spiritual healing in this context.
PeerJ
January 1, 2025
Polycarpe Bagereka, Rezvan Ameli, Ninet Sinaii et al.
Nature-based programs can improve overall wellbeing among healthcare workers who experienced stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, and adding an audio-based mindfulness intervention may enhance those benefits. In a study of 78 healthcare workers randomized to a nature-only retreat, a combined nature-and-mindfulness program, or a control group, wellbeing scores increased in both intervention groups compared to the control. The combined group maintained improvements at follow-up better than the nature-only group. However, neither intervention reduced perceived stress, as measured by the Perceived Stress Scale. The authors note the study had diminished power and call for further research.