People with advanced cancer who are given psychedelic drugs experience less depression and anxiety than those given conventional treatment, according to a study by researchers at New York University. The team analyzed five clinical trials that involved a total of 399 patients. The patients were given either a placebo or one of three psychedelic drugs: LSD, psilocybin, or MDMA.
Those given the drugs saw their depression scores reduced by six points on the Beck Depression Inventory, while their anxiety was reduced by between seven and eight points, according to the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The results were found to be long-lasting.
Of the 399 patients, 60% of those given psilocybin for depression achieved remission, compared to just 16% of those given a placebo. Similarly, more than half of those given psilocybin for anxiety experienced remission, compared to 12% of those given a placebo.
