Enduring changes in personality/attitudes , depression , spirituality , anxiety , wellbeing , substance misuse , meditative practice s , and mindfulness were documented .
Mystical experiences , connectedness , emotional breakthrough , and increased neural entropy were related to these long-term changes in psychological functioning .
Finally , with proper screening , preparation , supervision , and integration , limited aversive side effects were noted by study participants .
Research into the basic effects and therapeutic applications of  psychedelic drugs  has grown considerably in recent years .
Yet , pressing questions remain regarding the substances ' lasting effects .
Although individual studies have begun monitoring sustained changes , no study to- date has synthesized this information .
Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial
Background : Clinical ly significant anxiety and depression are common in patients with cancer , and are associated with poor psychiatric and medical outcomes . Historical and recent research suggests a role for psilocybin to treat cancer-related anxiety and depression .  Methods : In this double-blind , placebo-controlled , crossover trial , 29 patients with cancer-related anxiety and depression were r and omly assigned and received treatment with single-dose psilocybin ( 0.3 mg/kg ) or niacin , both in conjunction with psychotherapy . The primary outcomes were anxiety and depression assessed between groups prior to the crossover at 7 weeks . Results : Prior to the crossover , psilocybin produced immediate , substantial , and sustained improvements in anxiety and depression and led to decreases in cancer-related demoralization and hopelessness , improved spiritual wellbeing , and increased quality of life . At the 6.5-month follow-up , psilocybin was associated with enduring anxiolytic and anti-depressant effects ( approximately 60–80 % of participants continued with clinical ly significant reductions in depression or anxiety ) , sustained benefits in existential distress and quality of life , as well as improved attitudes towards death . The psilocybin-induced mystical experience mediated the therapeutic effect of psilocybin on anxiety and depression . Conclusions : In conjunction with psychotherapy , single moderate-dose psilocybin produced rapid , robust and enduring anxiolytic and anti-depressant effects in patients with cancer-related psychological distress . Trial Registration : Clinical Trials.gov Identifier :
Enduring changes in personality/attitudes , depression , spirituality , anxiety , wellbeing , substance misuse , meditative practice s , and mindfulness were documented .
Mystical experiences , connectedness , emotional breakthrough , and increased neural entropy were related to these long-term changes in psychological functioning .
Finally , with proper screening , preparation , supervision , and integration , limited aversive side effects were noted by study participants .
Research into the basic effects and therapeutic applications of  psychedelic drugs  has grown considerably in recent years .
Yet , pressing questions remain regarding the substances ' lasting effects .
Although individual studies have begun monitoring sustained changes , no study to- date has synthesized this information .