CLINICAL TRIAL SHOWS SINGLE PSILOCYBIN DOSE PROVIDES LONG‑TERM RELIEF FROM DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY IN CANCER PATIENTS

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN VORAKA

Article Published on 15 Jun 2025 by Aria Bloom | www.vorakamag.com

In a breakthrough that could redefine mental health care for cancer patients, a new clinical trial has found that a single dose of psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound, can provide long-term relief from depression and anxiety in people battling cancer.

Psilocybin mushroom grown in a cultivation facility in Littleton. Photo: Courtesy Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Published in the journal Cancer by the American Cancer Society, the trial involved 28 patients diagnosed with either curable or incurable cancer. Each participant received a 25 mg dose of COMP360 psilocybin, supported by professionally guided psychological care. The results were profound: over 50% of patients experienced major reductions in depression, and nearly 46% saw significant improvements in anxiety symptoms.

More importantly, the impact was not fleeting. Follow-up assessments conducted 18 months later revealed that more than half of the participants were still in remission, showing sustained emotional well-being after just one guided psychedelic session. There were no serious adverse effects reported, highlighting psilocybin’s safety when administered in a clinical setting.

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This trial builds on years of promising research. Earlier studies at NYU Langone Medical Center showed that a single dose of psilocybin, paired with psychotherapy, brought lasting relief to 80% of participants suffering from cancer-related distress. In extended follow-ups three to five years later, 60–80% continued to report improved mood and emotional resilience.

Dr. Manish Agrawal, lead investigator at Sunstone Therapies, described the results as “paradigm-shifting,” emphasizing that such outcomes could reshape mental health treatment in oncology. NYU’s Dr. Stephen Ross echoed this optimism, calling the evidence “the strongest to date” for psilocybin’s potential in psycho-oncology.

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This development arrives at a critical time. Studies suggest that nearly 1 in 4 cancer patients suffer from depression, a condition that often goes undertreated. Unlike conventional antidepressants, which may take weeks to work and often require long-term use, psilocybin offers fast-acting and durable results in just one clinical session.

As psychedelic medicine gains credibility in mainstream science, psilocybin-assisted therapy is emerging as a safe, effective, and compassionate option for those navigating both physical illness and emotional turmoil. While larger, randomized trials are still needed before regulatory approval, this latest study offers a compelling case for integrating psychedelic care into modern cancer treatment.