The effects of psilocybin on psychological distress in cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Résumé

INTRODUCTION: Psilocybin may effectively treat psychological distress in cancer patients. A meta-analysis assessed its safety and effectiveness in this context.METHODS: A comprehensive search across six databases (Scopus, PsycINFO, PubMed, Cochrane, CINAHL Complete, and Web of Science) was conducted to identify studies on psilocybin's effects on mental health in cancer patients up to November 2024. Both randomized and non-randomized trials were included, assessing anxiety, depression, and other mental outcomes at short-term (2-5 weeks) and long-term (6 months) follow-ups. Study quality was assessed using Cochrane tools, and statistical analyses were performed with Stata version 17.RESULTS: In randomized controlled trials (RCTs), psilocybin significantly reduced depressive symptoms, with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) (standardized mean difference [SMD] = - 2.87, 95% confidence interval [CI]: - 3.99 to - 1.76, p