Psilocybin-assisted group therapy in patients with cancer diagnosed with a major depressive disorder

The authors of this helpful paper write: "Depression is common in patients with cancer and associated with lower treatment adherence, reduced quality of life, and limited response to antidepressants and psychotherapy. We conducted a phase 2 trial to study a single dose of psilocybin administered in a group therapy setting with one-to-one therapist-to-participant psychological support to patients with curable and noncurable cancer and major depressive disorder. Findings of the study showed safety (no treatment-related serious adverse events or suicidality) with psilocybin and suggested efficacy, with a significant reduction in depression severity scores from baseline to posttreatment. Further investigation is warranted." There is also the companion qualitative study Acceptability of psilocybin-assisted group therapy in patients with cancer and major depressive disorder: Qualitative analysis and the linked editorial Innovations in group-based psilocybin-assisted therapy of major depression in patients with cancer.

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