Psilocybin Therapy Offers Long-Lasting Depression Relief for Cancer Patients

Psilocybin Therapy Offers Long-Lasting Relief for Depression in Cancer Patients, Study Finds

Published in the journal Cancer, the study findings show that just one 25 mg dose of psilocybin, administered with professional psychological support, helped ease symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) in more than half of study participants. Even more remarkable: many of those benefits lasted for up to two years.

“This could be a game-changer,” said lead author Dr. Manish Agrawal, a medical oncologist and co-founder of Sunstone Therapies, in a press release. “One dose of psilocybin with psychological support to treat depression has a long-term positive impact on relieving depression for as much as two years for a substantial portion of patients with cancer, and we’re exploring whether repeating the treatment resolves depression for more than half of the patients.”

He added, “If randomized testing shows similar results, this could lead to greater use of psilocybin to treat depression in patients with cancer.”

A Single Dose, Lasting Results

The study followed 30 cancer patients diagnosed with MDD who received a single 25 mg dose of psilocybin along with structured therapy at a community-based cancer center. After two years, 28 of the participants were reassessed, and the findings were striking.

Over 53% showed a marked reduction in depressive symptoms, measured by the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, with an average 15-point drop. Half of those patients continued to feel better even after two years.

Anxiety symptoms also improved significantly, with 46.4% experiencing a notable decrease. Nearly 43% maintained those gains over time.

Unlike traditional antidepressants (which can take weeks to work, must be taken daily, and often come with side effects) psilocybin appears to offer a fast-acting and enduring alternative, especially for those dealing with the intense emotional strain of cancer.

Depression and Cancer: Tied Together

Depression is common among cancer patients, affecting rates far higher than the general population. Facing a life-threatening diagnosis, enduring grueling treatments, and coping with physical pain can all take a heavy psychological toll.

Yet conventional treatments for depression aren’t always effective for people with complex medical conditions. This is where psilocybin may offer a new path forward. The compound, which interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain, is thought to “reset” neural pathways that contribute to depression and anxiety.

When administered with therapeutic support, many patients describe the experience as deeply meaningful, helping them to reframe their relationship to themselves, their illness, and even their mortality.

A Psychedelic Renaissance in Medicine

These findings add to a growing body of research suggesting psychedelics have powerful therapeutic potential. Previous studies from institutions like Johns Hopkins and Emory have shown that psilocybin can ease end-of-life anxiety and depression in terminally ill patients, with benefits sometimes lasting months or even years.

This new study stands out by offering rare long-term data. While most trials measure progress over a few weeks or months, this research tracked participants for a full two years, confirming that the improvements can endure in a real-world outpatient setting.

Still, researchers caution that larger studies are needed. The sample size was relatively small, and the therapy took place under closely controlled conditions. But the results are promising enough to spark wider interest, and potentially major changes in how depression is treated.

Looking Ahead

Larger, multi-site trials are already underway, including studies targeting other conditions like PTSD, chronic pain, and major depressive disorder in different populations. One current trial is comparing one or two 25 mg doses of psilocybin to a placebo, to see how it affects depression and anxiety in cancer patients.

Outside the lab, momentum is building. Oregon became the first U.S. state to legalize supervised psilocybin therapy in 2023, with Colorado following suit. California is also considering similar legislation. However, at the federal level, psilocybin is still classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, which complicates research and access.

Advocates hope that high-quality clinical data like this will pave the way for broader acceptance, and, eventually, regulatory reform.

As mental health needs continue to rise, the search for more effective, accessible, and lasting treatments is more urgent than ever. For cancer patients in particular — who often carry the dual burden of physical illness and emotional pain — this therapy could offer a rare source of hope.

Researchers describe the findings from this latest trial as “a potentially paradigm-changing alternative to traditional antidepressants.”

And with only one guided session required, that paradigm shift might just be a single, meaningful journey away.