PSILOCYBIN-ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR THE TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY IN LIFE-THREATENING CANCER PATIENTS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47820/recima21.v4i11.4311

Keywords:

Psilocybin. Terminal cancer. Psychedelic. Hallucinogens. Anxiety. Depression.

Abstract

Introduction: Psilocybin is the active principle of the Psilocybe cubensis mushroom species, historically known as magic mushrooms. It is an agonist of the 5HT2A serotoninergic receptors. Its use for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and depression in individuals with terminal stage cancer presents results in promising clinical trials. Objective: Literature review on the efficacy and safety of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of depression and anxiety in life-threatening oncologic patients. Method: Literature review via searches on Pubmed and Medline databases, by using the term "psilocybin cancer” in English. Articles that included life-threatening oncologic patients published between 2011 and 2020 were selected. Only randomized clinical, double-blind trials controlled by placebo were selected. Result: Only 3 articles of the 143 selected ones, met the inclusion criteria. In addition to showing safety, the studies found efficacy in the psilocybin use for the treatment of anxiety and depression symptoms in the patients. There was also an improvement in the well-being, optimism and a decrease in the psychological and existential suffering related to cancer. Considerations: Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy can be promising in the context of palliative care of oncologic patients.

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Author Biographies

Sara Almeida Oliveira

Acadêmica de Medicina da Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE).

Victor Augusto Rodovalho Fava

Médico pela Universidade Federal de Uberlândia e psiquiatra pela Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp). Especialista em psicoterapia psicodinâmica para transtornos de personalidade e mestrado em Ciências também pela Unifesp.

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Published

05/11/2023

How to Cite

Almeida Oliveira, S., & Rodovalho Fava, V. A. (2023). PSILOCYBIN-ASSISTED PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR THE TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY IN LIFE-THREATENING CANCER PATIENTS: A LITERATURE REVIEW. RECIMA21 - Revista Científica Multidisciplinar - ISSN 2675-6218, 4(11), e4114311. https://doi.org/10.47820/recima21.v4i11.4311

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