Psychedelics and trauma
Advanced cancer patients often grapple with severe depression and anxiety, conditions that conventional antidepressants struggle to alleviate. Recent findings from a meta-analysis of five clinical trials, conducted by our team, shed light on the promising impact of psychedelic medications, such as LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA, in significantly reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in this population.
Psychedelic Medications and Symptom Reduction:
The meta-analysis revealed that individuals undergoing psychedelic therapy exhibited a noteworthy decrease in depression scores, as measured by the Beck’s Depression Inventory. Scores dropped by an average of six points, indicating a substantial improvement from moderate to severe depression to minimal to no depression. Additionally, anxiety scores, measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, decreased by seven to eight points, suggesting a substantial reduction in anxiety levels.
Clinical Remission and Long-Term Effects:
In a specific trial involving 51 cancer patients, 60% of those receiving a single high-dose psilocybin session achieved clinical remission for depression, with 52% achieving remission for anxiety. In contrast, only 16% and 12% of those receiving a placebo achieved remission for depression and anxiety, respectively. Remarkably, these positive effects persisted six months post-treatment.
Psychedelics vs. Traditional Medications:
The efficacy of one to two psychedelic therapy sessions in comparison to daily prescription medications like fluoxetine and paroxetine raises intriguing questions. Our hypothesis suggests that the trauma associated with a cancer diagnosis, combined with adverse treatment effects, may be better addressed through psychedelic therapy. This approach allows patients to confront and process traumatic memories, potentially surpassing the benefits seen with traditional antidepressants.
Patient Perspectives on Psychedelic Sessions:
Patients reported that psychedelic sessions helped them confront repressed intense emotions without feeling overwhelmed. Despite the emotional challenges, the cathartic experience facilitated the acceptance of their emotions, reducing feelings of isolation and inner withdrawal.
Limitations and Unknowns:
While promising, there are limitations to the existing research, including potential biases in participant selection and the lack of direct comparisons between psychedelics and traditional antidepressants for cancer patients. Additionally, concerns about increases in blood pressure during psychedelic sessions highlight the need for careful consideration, especially for patients with pre-existing health conditions.
Next Steps for Psychedelic Research:
Further research is essential to fully understand the effectiveness of psychedelics in treating depression and anxiety in cancer patients. Expanding investigations to include patients with other life-threatening diseases may provide insights into the broader therapeutic benefits of psychedelic treatments.
Regulatory Considerations:
Should the Food and Drug Administration consider approving psychedelics for medical use, legal frameworks would need to be established, given their current Schedule 1 classification. Drawing parallels with the approval of cannabadiol for rare childhood seizure disorders in 2018, despite being a Schedule 1 substance, suggests a potential path forward for psychedelic therapies. Researchers would need to navigate regulatory hurdles with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, mirroring the processes established for studying controlled substances.
The current evidence suggests that psychedelic therapies may be a viable solution for treating depression and anxiety in cancer patients. While further research is necessary to confirm the benefits of psychedelics on other life-threatening diseases, the potential for these treatments to help those facing severe mental health issues should not be overlooked. However, several regulatory considerations must be taken into account before these therapies can become widely