Psilocybin Research
As of May 2024, there were 147 registered clinical trials globally investigating psilocybin, accounting for approximately 53% of all psychedelic-related trials. This marks a significant increase from 131 trials reported in October 2023. Source
Beyond clinical trials, psilocybin research has experienced substantial growth in scientific publications. For instance, in 2022 alone, there were 328 publications related to psilocybin, reflecting a significant increase in scholarly interest.
This surge in both clinical and academic research underscores the expanding global interest in psilocybin's therapeutic potential.
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Cancer-Related Anxiety and Depression
NYU Langone Medical Center
A 2016 randomized, double-blind study involving 51 adults with life-threatening cancer demonstrated that a single dose of psilocybin, combined with psychotherapy, significantly reduced anxiety and depression. Approximately 80% of participants experienced lasting improvements for up to six months.
https://nyulangone.org/news/psychedelic-drug-therapy-may-address-mental-health-concerns-people-cancer-addiction
Johns Hopkins University
A parallel study published in 2016 reported similar findings, with 80% of participants showing significant reductions in depression and anxiety, and 67% describing the experience as one of the top five most meaningful in their lives.
https://hub.jhu.edu/2016/12/01/hallucinogen-treats-cancer-depression-anxiety/University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Collaborating with NYU, researchers are conducting a study funded by the National Cancer Institute to evaluate the efficacy of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in treating psychiatric and existential distress in individuals with late-stage cancer. https://news.cuanschutz.edu/cancer-center/studying-psychedelics-to-treat-psychiatric-distress-in-late-stage-cancer -
Demoralization and Existential Distress
University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
The "Pragmatic Trial of Psilocybin Therapy in Palliative Care" is a Phase 2, triple-blind, randomized controlled trial comparing psilocybin therapy to ketamine therapy in treating demoralization in adults with life-threatening illnesses. The study commenced in January 2025 and is expected to complete by December 2027.
clinicaltrials.ucsf.eduUniversity Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
The "PsyPal" project investigates the use of psilocybin therapy to decrease psychological distress in palliative care patients. The study involves a collaborative effort between UMCG and various European organizations, including universities in Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Uppsala.
https://umcgresearch.org/w/psypal -
Parkinson’s Disease
University of California San Francisco (UCSF)
Psilocybin therapy for mood dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease: an open-label pilot trial. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41386-025-02097-0
https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2025/04/429906/how-magic-mushrooms-could-help-parkinsons-disease-patients
https://www.michaeljfox.org/grant/assessment-psilocybin-therapy-treatment-depression-parkinsons-disease -
Other University Research in Psilocybin Therapy
UCLA Ecological Medicine & Psychedelic Studies Initiative https://reconnect.ucla.edu/
Pragmatic Trial of Psilocybin Therapy in Palliative Care PT2PC (Psilocybin)
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05403086
Psilocybin-Assisted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adults with Major Depressive Disorder: Rationale and Treatment Development
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11658652/
