May 2026
Psychedelic-assisted therapy
What May 2026's 11 new studies found, synthesized from the papers below. All Psychedelic-assisted therapy research →
The synthesis
Synthesized from 11 studies in the library · AI-generated, grounded in the abstracts below
Found by searching the library for Psychedelic-assisted therapy, psychedelic therapy, assisted psychotherapy, drug-assisted therapy, then ranked by relevance.
In May 2026, research on psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) showed large within-group effects on anxiety (g=0.96) and small between-group effects (g=0.48), with the intensity of the acute psychedelic experience being the most common predictor of therapeutic response. Qualitative evidence suggests PAT may act as a catalyst for transformation in eating disorders, and cancer patients and carers are open to PAT if risks are carefully managed. However, evidence is limited by high heterogeneity across studies, small sample sizes, and a lack of controlled trials in many areas.
Confidence in the evidence
Low-Moderate- One meta-analysis (article_id: 27866) found large within-group but only small between-group effects on anxiety, with high heterogeneity.
- A systematic review (article_id: 27914) of 54 studies identified the acute psychedelic experience as the most common predictor, but findings were not consistent across all disorders.
- Qualitative and pilot studies (article_ids: 27776, 27945, 29298) provide preliminary evidence but lack large-scale controlled trials.
- Many studies are reviews or qualitative, with limited RCTs and small sample sizes, reducing overall confidence.
How we rate confidence
Confidence reflects the strength of the underlying evidence, not whether the result is favorable. It weighs the number and size of studies, their design (randomized trials count for more than observational or single-case work), how consistently they point the same way, and their risk of bias.
Tiers run from Insufficient to High. High is rare in this field: small, early, or open-label studies land lower even when their direction is encouraging.
Evidence by study
Direction is each study's finding relative to your question: Supports, Opposes, No effect, Mixed, or Unclear.
| Study | Design | Sample size | Direction | Finding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Non-Randomized Clinical Trial of Subcutaneous Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: Exploring Adjunctive Effects of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy 2026 | non-randomized clinical trial | Unclear | This preliminary trial explores the adjunctive effects of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for TRD but does not report specific outcomes in the abstract. | |
| Effect of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy on anxiety symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis 2026 | systematic review and meta-analysis | 25 | Supports | Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy showed a large within-group effect (g=0.96) and a small between-group effect (g=0.48) on anxiety, with high heterogeneity. |
| Innovations in Depression Diagnosis and Treatment: A Review of Biological, Cognitive, and Psychosocial Advances. 2026 | review | Supports | This review highlights psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy as a breakthrough treatment for treatment-resistant depression. | |
| Understanding experiences of psychedelic treatments for eating disorders: a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies. 2026 | qualitative meta-synthesis | 8 | Supports | Psychedelic experiences may act as catalysts for transformation in eating disorder treatment, involving mind-body-spirit and emotional processing. |
| Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa: Clinical Considerations and Emerging Models of Care. 2026 | theoretical/review | Unclear | This paper discusses theoretical potential and clinical considerations for psilocybin-assisted therapy in adolescent anorexia nervosa, but no empirical data are reported. | |
| Development of the MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Side Effects Tool (M-SET): a Delphi study. 2026 | Delphi study | 12 | Unclear | This study developed the M-SET tool to systematically assess side effects of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, but does not report therapeutic outcomes. |
| Exploring new avenues: Psychedelic-assisted therapy for young people. 2026 | review | Supports | Limited research suggests psychedelics appear safe and may improve mental wellbeing in young people, but they may be at more risk of anxiety and challenging experiences. | |
| Predictors of therapeutic response to psychedelic-assisted therapy: A systematic review. 2026 | systematic review | 54 | Supports | The intensity of the acute psychedelic experience, particularly mystical-type experiences, was the most frequently reported predictor of therapeutic response, though not consistent across all disorders. |
| Anything that helps: cancer patient and carer perspectives on psychedelic-assisted therapy 2026 | qualitative | 15 | Supports | Cancer patients and carers expressed largely positive views of PAT, recognizing potential benefits but emphasizing the need for careful risk management. |
| Psychological support in psychedelic-assisted therapy clinical trials: A systematic review. 2026 | systematic review | 29 | Unclear | Psychological interventions in most psychedelic trials qualify as psychotherapy, with 69% meeting all four common factors criteria, but the review does not report therapeutic outcomes. |
| Pilot Results for Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for Cocaine Use Disorder-A Critical Appraisal. 2026 | pilot study | Unclear | This critical appraisal of pilot results for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for cocaine use disorder does not provide specific outcome data in the abstract. |
This preliminary trial explores the adjunctive effects of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for TRD but does not report specific outcomes in the abstract.
non-randomized clinical trial
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy showed a large within-group effect (g=0.96) and a small between-group effect (g=0.48) on anxiety, with high heterogeneity.
systematic review and meta-analysis Sample size: 25
This review highlights psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy as a breakthrough treatment for treatment-resistant depression.
review
Psychedelic experiences may act as catalysts for transformation in eating disorder treatment, involving mind-body-spirit and emotional processing.
qualitative meta-synthesis Sample size: 8
This paper discusses theoretical potential and clinical considerations for psilocybin-assisted therapy in adolescent anorexia nervosa, but no empirical data are reported.
theoretical/review
This study developed the M-SET tool to systematically assess side effects of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, but does not report therapeutic outcomes.
Delphi study Sample size: 12
Limited research suggests psychedelics appear safe and may improve mental wellbeing in young people, but they may be at more risk of anxiety and challenging experiences.
review
The intensity of the acute psychedelic experience, particularly mystical-type experiences, was the most frequently reported predictor of therapeutic response, though not consistent across all disorders.
systematic review Sample size: 54
Cancer patients and carers expressed largely positive views of PAT, recognizing potential benefits but emphasizing the need for careful risk management.
qualitative Sample size: 15
Psychological interventions in most psychedelic trials qualify as psychotherapy, with 69% meeting all four common factors criteria, but the review does not report therapeutic outcomes.
systematic review Sample size: 29
This critical appraisal of pilot results for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for cocaine use disorder does not provide specific outcome data in the abstract.
pilot study
Points of agreement
- Psychedelic-assisted therapy shows promise for treating anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
- The acute psychedelic experience, especially mystical-type experiences, is a key predictor of therapeutic response.
- Patients and carers are generally open to PAT if risks are managed.
- Psychological support in PAT trials often meets criteria for psychotherapy.
Conflicts
- The meta-analysis found high heterogeneity in anxiety outcomes, suggesting inconsistent effects across studies.
- The predictive value of mystical-type experiences was not consistent across all disorders or time points.
Gaps
- Limited controlled trials in adolescents and young people.
- Lack of standardized side effect measures prior to the M-SET development.
- Durability of effects and long-term outcomes are not addressed.
- Small sample sizes in qualitative and pilot studies.
- Need for more research on specific populations (e.g., eating disorders, cocaine use disorder).