Psilocybin Battles Anxiety & Depression
Psilocybin, the active component in magic mushrooms has been directly linked to combating the effects of anxiety and depression in cancer patients through recent studies.
Findings conducted by a study performed at Johns Hopkins University and another led by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center confirm similarities.
Why Target Anxiety and Depression in Cancer Patients?
Anxiety and depression are extremely prominent in cancer patients who are terminally ill and essentially have an “x” amount of time left.
The distress can be quite overwhelming for an individual once told they are going to die; so much so that their depressed mood and anxiety increases the chances of decreased treatment adherence. It can also lead to the patient contemplating suicide.
Anxiety and depression affect the patient in more ways than one, ultimately speeding up and increasing the chance of death earlier or significantly decreasing their quality of life.
Johns Hopkins Study on Psilocybin in Cancer Patients
In this study, 51 patients with a life-threatening cancer diagnosis took part. All subjects were also diagnosed with anxiety, depression or a mixture of the two due to their initial cancer diagnosis.
Study Details
The study proved that psilocybin had sustained and substantial benefits in treating anxiety and depression in the cancer patients.
Through monitoring the individuals, it was clear that the increase of quality of life and optimism were prevalent. It also gave way to a decrease in anxiety with association to death.
The more amazing finding may be that after a 6-month follow-up with these patients, nearly 80% of them had sustaining benefits as reported just after that one allocated dose.
NYU Study on Psilocybin Relieves Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Advanced Cancer
Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center conducted a study on advanced cancer patients. The program outlined 29 individuals who also battled anxiety and depression on top of their initial diagnosis.
Study Details
The study was allocated as a one dose of psilocybin coupled with psychological counseling. The results quickly brought relief to patients from their current distress and lasted over 6 months with an 80% sustaining rate!
Psilocybin Battles Anxiety & Depression
In neither one of these studies had reports of serious adverse effects of patients. This means, no hospitalization, or other serious medial health conditions.
Psilocybin is a groundbreaking transformative care method that is an inexpensive treatment option with effective results.
Benefits range from greater energy, optimism, variations of spirituality and unusual peacefulness.
If these formidable results were experienced with cancer patients’ anxiety and depression; it surely can and will benefit those with other medical conditions.
Gabby Agin-Liebes, lead investigator of the long-term follow-up of these 2016 studies said:
“The drug seems to facilitate a deep, meaningful experience that stays with a person and can fundamentally change his/her mindset and outlook.”
The Future of Cancer Patients and Psilocybin
The future is seemingly bright for cancer patients finding peace during treatment through the use of psilocybin.
In relation to easing anxiety and depression throughout treatment in order to keep the patient optimistic and worry-free, psilocybin is a fantastic addition coupled with the numerous other treatments that individual is undergoing.
Those individuals who are stage four and are going through hospice to find peace and relaxation throughout their final days, psilocybin will surely ease the mind through the anxiety of death.
The World Health Organization estimated approximately 18+ million cases of cancer globally in 2018. Depression is much more common with cancer patients than with the general public so the future and placement of psilocybin in the medical field in promising.