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Exciting results have been obtained from a Phase II clinical trial regarding the therapeutic effect of the hallucinogenic chemical psilocybin found in certain mushrooms. The research indicates it may greatly benefit individuals suffering from cancer and major depression. Trial participants who were treated with psilocybin reported experiencing reduced depressive symptoms and spoke highly of the treatment.
This fascinating study has been published in two articles in Cancer.
By binding to a specific subtype of serotonin receptor in the brain, psilocybin can influence mood, cognition, and perception. Despite being classified as a Schedule I drug, research has shown that psilocybin-assisted therapy, which combines the chemical with psychological support from qualified therapists, has the potential to effectively treat major depressive disorder. Ongoing research is also looking into the use of psilocybin-assisted therapy for various other mental health conditions, including anxiety, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
In this latest Phase II open-label trial, which involved adults struggling with cancer and major depression, participants received a 25 mg dose of synthesized psilocybin plus a session with a therapist and group therapy support.
After eight weeks of treatment, patients’ depression severity scores dropped by an average of 19.1 points, with 80% experiencing a sustained response to treatment and 50% showing full remission of depressive symptoms after one week. Moreover, treatment-related side effects were generally mild.
Dr. Manish Agrawal, the lead author of the study, said, “This was a small, open-label study and more research needs to be done, but the potential is significant and could have implications for helping millions of patients with cancer who are also struggling with the severe psychological impact of the disease.”
A second study, led by Dr. Yvan Beaussant of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, gathered input from patients in the trial during exit interviews. Participants generously shared their generally positive experiences during the treatment.
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