Sunday 24 September 2017

Psilocybin and end of life care

I'm aware that (like cannabis) psilocybin is illegal in most countries.  Psilocybin being the active ingredient in hallucinogenic magic mushrooms.  However, I've just became aware of an increasing body of literature (this research has really exploded since 2016) on the investigation of psilocybin for depression and anxiety, including studies on its use in terminal cancer patients.

There seems to have been an entire issue of the Journal of  Psychopharmacology (December 2016) devoted to this with original research papers:

"Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial."

"Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial."

and commentaries:

"Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for dying cancer patients - aiding the final trip."

"The role of psychedelics in palliative care reconsidered: A case for psilocybin"

"Psilocybin for depression and anxiety associated with life-threatening illnesses."

"Psilocybin and palliative end-of-life care."

"Psilocybin in end of life care: Implications for further research."

"Psilocybin for anxiety and depression in cancer care? Lessons from the past and prospects for the future."

This should be of considerable interest to the cancer care-giving community.  I plan on thoroughly reviewing this literature and writing more about it in the future.




1 comment:

  1. The clinical trials referred to in the list above were two different trials. In the opening editorial to this edition of the Journal of Psychopharmacology it states:

    "This special issue of the Journal of Psychopharmacology contains
    two landmark studies – the most rigorous controlled trials to
    date using the psychedelic drug psilocybin, the active ingredient
    of magic mushrooms. These were conducted in patients with anxiety and depression
    and existential distress in the context of having a diagnosis of
    cancer, and they showed that a single psychedelic experience
    could produce profound and enduring mental health benefits."

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