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Sean Carruthers

Swinburne University of Technology

2 papers in the library · 1 citation · publishing 2024-2026

Papers

Qualitative Research on Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Mental Health Disorders: A Scoping Review Protocol

October 7, 2024 J Pincombe, M.l. Williams, Sean Carruthers et al. 1 citation preprint

A growing body of research suggests psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy may be an effective intervention for several mental health disorders. Researchers are increasingly using qualitative methods to capture rich contextual information. This scoping review will follow JBI guidelines to identify and analyze existing qualitative studies on psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for mental health disorders, excluding microdosing studies. The review will search PubMed, Scopus, PsycNET, and reference lists; two reviewers will screen papers. Findings will be presented narratively, analyzing trends in research questions and methods, and identifying opportunities for future qualitative research. Ethics approval is not required; results will be submitted for peer-reviewed publication.

Insights into psilocybin use among people with bipolar disorder: A thematic analysis of Reddit posts

Journal of Affective Disorders January 20, 2026 Laura Mills, Susan L. Rossell, Sean Carruthers

Psilocybin use among people with bipolar disorder is associated with both benefits and risks. Analysis of 354 Reddit posts and comments revealed four themes: mania, depression, mixed experiences, and broader perspectives. Some users reported reduced depression symptoms and shifts in perspective, but others described increased or new mania, psychosis, and worsened depression. The findings suggest that while psilocybin may help some individuals with bipolar disorder, it also carries potential for adverse mental health effects.