HOPE: A Pilot Study of Psilocybin Enhanced Group Psychotherapy in Patients With Cancer.
Journal of pain and symptom management September 1, 2023 Benjamin R Lewis, Eric L Garland, Kevin Byrne et al. 60 citations
Psilocybin-assisted group therapy appears safe and feasible for treating depression in cancer patients. In an open-label pilot trial, twelve participants with a depressive disorder received one high-dose (25 mg) psilocybin session within a three-week group program. Depression scores on the HAM-D scale decreased substantially from an average of 21.5 at baseline to 10.09 at two weeks and 14.83 at six months. Six of twelve participants met remission criteria (HAM-D below 7) at two weeks, and no serious adverse events occurred. The group format may reduce therapist time while maintaining possible efficacy, warranting further study.