International Journal of Mental Health Nursing
February 13, 2023
Marie Crowe, Jenni Manuel, Dave Carlyle et al.
18 citations
People treated with psilocybin across various health conditions—cancer, depression, HIV, substance use disorder, smoking cessation, and trauma—describe their experiences in three common themes: acceptance, connection, and transformation. A qualitative meta-synthesis of ten studies found that these themes emerged regardless of the specific health condition being treated. The review offers insights into the subjective experience of psilocybin and its effects on health, helping mental health nurses and other clinicians understand the therapeutic process from the patient's perspective.
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing
August 17, 2023
Marie Crowe, Jenni Manuel, Dave Carlyle et al.
6 citations
This perspective paper examines which one-to-one psychotherapies best align with the psilocybin experience for treating treatment-resistant depression. Evidence from a Cochrane review and a qualitative meta-synthesis indicates that the chosen psychotherapy must prioritize subjective experience, facilitate emotional processing, support connectedness with others, foster self-acceptance, and encourage change based on personal insights. Interpersonal psychotherapy and intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy are found to be congruent with the psilocybin experience, though other therapies are currently being trialled.
BMJ open
May 1, 2024
Ben Beaglehole, Richard Porter, Katie Douglas et al.
5 citations
A randomized controlled trial will test the feasibility of adding behavioral activation therapy (BAT) to oral ketamine for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. The study aims to recruit 60 adults aged 18–65 years, randomizing them to eight weeks of oral ketamine with BAT or oral ketamine alone. Feasibility will be measured by attendance, acceptability, and retention. The primary efficacy outcome is the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, assessed weekly during treatment and fortnightly during 12 weeks of follow-up. For a definitive trial to be recommended, the study must meet recruitment targets and show a greater than 20% reduction in relapse rates favoring the combined treatment arm.
New Zealand Medical Journal
September 15, 2025
Ben Beaglehole, Jenni Manuel
Psilocybin treatment for depression shows early promise, but expectation bias and functional unblinding likely influence positive results. Side effects are often not systematically reported, and some recipients may experience harm. Compared to ketamine for treatment-resistant depression, the evidence for psilocybin is weaker; ketamine has stronger support in treatment-resistant groups. The authors conclude that current evidence does not justify wider availability or use of psilocybin for depression.