Psychedelic drugs such as LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA have been found to significantly reduce depression and anxiety symptoms in people with advanced cancer, according to a recent meta-analysis of five clinical trials.
Current research suggests that traditional prescription antidepressants are not significantly effective in reducing depressive symptoms in cancer patients compared to a placebo.
- In one trial, 60% of cancer patients who received a single high-dose psilocybin session achieved clinical remission for depression and 52% for anxiety, compared to 16% and 12% for those who received a placebo.
- Patients with PTSD from military service or physical or sexual violence commonly experience depression and anxiety.
- Research suggests that psychedelic therapy may be effective in reducing PTSD symptoms.
- Patients who underwent psychedelic therapy reported that it helped them process intense feelings they were repressing, leading to acceptance and reduced feelings of isolation and inner withdrawal.
- There are limitations to the research, including the fact that some trials included people with a history of psychedelic use.
- Further research is needed to explore the potential benefits of psychedelic treatments for patients with other life-threatening diseases.
- The legal status of these drugs would need to be addressed if they were approved for medical use by the FDA.
