rescheduling Psychedelics to revolutionize Therapy for Cancer and Depression
Psychedelic Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Found to Reduce Depressive Symptoms in Adults with Cancer and Depression
🆕A Phase II clinical trial has shown that psilocybin-assisted therapy may benefit individuals with cancer and major depression. This therapy, which combines psilocybin with psychological support, has been observed to reduce depressive symptoms significantly. The trial, conducted at Sunstone Therapies in Maryland, involved a single 25 mg dose of synthesized psilocybin plus therapist and group therapy support​​​​​​.
🆕A recent study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology has shown that psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, can help reduce depressive symptoms in adults with cancer and depression. Psilocybin is a psychedelic substance that can induce profound changes in perception, mood, and cognition. The study involved 24 participants who had a diagnosis of cancer and moderate to severe depression. They received two doses of psilocybin, one low and one high, in a supportive setting with trained therapists. The participants also received psychological support before, during, and after the sessions.
The results were remarkable. The participants reported significant improvements in their depressive symptoms, as measured by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), at one week and four weeks after the high-dose session. The average reduction in HDRS score was 71% at one week and 64% at four weeks. The participants also reported improvements in anxiety, existential distress, quality of life, and spiritual well-being. The psilocybin sessions were rated as among the most meaningful and spiritually significant experiences of their lives by most of the participants. The therapy was well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events or lasting negative effects.
The study adds to the growing evidence that psychedelic-assisted therapy can be a safe and effective treatment for depression and other mental health conditions. Psilocybin has been shown to have similar benefits for people with treatment-resistant depression, alcohol dependence, smoking cessation, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The researchers suggest that psilocybin may work by enhancing neuroplasticity, increasing emotional processing, and facilitating positive psychological changes. They call for more research to confirm and expand their findings, and to explore the potential of psilocybin for other populations and indications.
Federal Rescheduling of Psilocybin for End-Of-Life Cancer Patients Hits an Obstacle
🆕Dr. Sunil Aggarwal's ongoing effort to reschedule psilocybin for end-of-life cancer patients encountered another setback. The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a request for rehearing a ruling that returned the rescheduling petition to the DEA instead of the FDA. The DEA initially rejected Aggarwal's request, and subsequent legal actions have so far not resulted in a change of psilocybin's legal status​​.
🆕A recent proposal to reclassify psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, as a Schedule III drug for terminally ill cancer patients has faced opposition from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The proposal, submitted by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), aims to make psilocybin more accessible for patients who suffer from anxiety, depression, and existential distress due to their terminal diagnosis. Psilocybin has been shown to have significant benefits for these patients in several clinical trials, reducing their psychological distress and improving their quality of life.
However, the DEA has argued that psilocybin does not meet the criteria for Schedule III, which requires that the drug has a currently accepted medical use and a low potential for abuse. The DEA claims that psilocybin has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, despite the growing evidence to the contrary. The DEA also cites the lack of standardized dosage and administration methods for psilocybin as a reason to deny the rescheduling request. The MAPS proposal is currently under review by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which will make a recommendation to the Attorney General, who has the final say on the matter. The process could take several months or even years, leaving many patients in limbo. The MAPS proposal is part of a larger movement to decriminalize and legalize psychedelic substances for medical and therapeutic purposes, as well as for personal and spiritual growth. Several cities and states have already passed initiatives to reduce or eliminate penalties for possessing or using psilocybin and other psychedelics, such as ayahuasca, ibogaine, and peyote. Advocates argue that these substances have immense potential to heal various mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and major depressive disorder (MDD).
They also claim that these substances can enhance creativity, empathy, and well-being, and foster a deeper connection with oneself, others, and nature. Critics, however, warn that these substances are not without risks, such as adverse psychological reactions, potential interactions with other medications, and possible exacerbation of underlying psychiatric disorders.
They also caution that these substances should not be used recreationally or without proper guidance and supervision from trained professionals. They urge more research and regulation before making these substances widely available to the public. The debate over the legal status of psilocybin and other psychedelics is likely to continue as more evidence emerges about their benefits and harms. The rescheduling of psilocybin for end-of-life cancer patients could be a milestone in the history of psychedelic medicine, or a setback that delays its progress.
