Psilocybin Therapy Shows Promise For Mental Health In Cancer And Addiction

Psilocybin, a compound found in psychedelic mushrooms, has shown significant potential in improving the mental health of cancer patients and individuals with alcohol use disorder, according to two new studies conducted by NYU Langone Health. These findings could offer a new approach to addressing mental health challenges in these populations.

The first study, published online in Nature Mental Health on Oct. 7, 2024, revealed that just one or two doses of psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy, substantially reduced anxiety, depression, obsessive thoughts, anger, and other symptoms of psychological distress in cancer patients. The improvements lasted for up to six months following treatment. Lead author Petros Petridis, MD, a clinical assistant professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, highlighted the potential long-term benefits of psilocybin therapy for individuals facing cancer-related mental health challenges.

“This study suggests that the mental health benefits of psilocybin therapy for cancer patients may be more profound than previously understood,” Petridis said.

The research team, which included experts from NYU Langone Health, conducted a meta-analysis of two earlier clinical trials. In these trials, 79 participants with cancer were administered psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, with half receiving high doses of the compound and the other half receiving a placebo. The results were encouraging, as patients who received psilocybin therapy reported lasting improvements in their psychological well-being, with no significant increase in adverse effects such as paranoia or psychosis.

“The data supports the idea that psilocybin can be safely used under professional supervision, offering a potential therapeutic avenue for cancer patients dealing with mental health issues,” said Stephen Ross, MD, senior author of the study and a clinical professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

In a second study, published on Jan. 1, 2025, in The American Journal of Psychiatry, researchers found that psilocybin therapy could lead to lasting personality changes in individuals with alcohol use disorder. Patients treated with psilocybin exhibited significant reductions in impulsivity, depression, and emotional vulnerability, while also demonstrating increased openness to new thoughts and emotions. These changes were noted seven months after the second dose of psilocybin.

Broc Pagni, PhD, lead author of the study and postdoctoral fellow at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, emphasized the importance of these findings. “Impulsivity has long been associated with both excessive drinking and relapse, and the positive personality changes observed in this study may help patients remain resilient to stressors that trigger relapse,” he explained.

The study also revealed gender differences in the effects of psilocybin therapy. Men were more likely to experience a boost in positive emotions, while women showed increased levels of openness. Further research is needed to understand the underlying causes of these differences, according to senior author Michael Bogenschutz, MD, a professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Looking ahead, the team plans to explore whether similar personality changes can occur in patients with opioid use disorder who undergo psilocybin-assisted therapy. However, the researchers cautioned that participants in both studies could often identify whether they had received psilocybin or a placebo, which may impact the results.

Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound, has been shown to induce significant changes in perception, emotions, and the sense of self. While it can cause increases in blood pressure and heart rate, as well as overwhelming psychological effects, the researchers stress that the drug should only be used in controlled settings under medical supervision.

Funding for both studies was provided by the National Institutes of Health, the Heffter Research Institute, and several private foundations and individual donors. The research was also supported by various academic collaborators from institutions including Columbia University, Yale University, Johns Hopkins University, Arizona State University, and the University of New Mexico.

Psilocybin’s potential as a therapeutic tool is still under investigation, and these studies contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting its use for improving mental health in cancer patients and those with addiction.