EFECTOS PSICOLÓGICOS DE LA PSILOCIBINA EN PACIENTES CON CÁNCER TERMICO: Una revisión del alcance

A scoping review of nine studies found that psilocybin, a hallucinogenic alkaloid, effectively reduces depression and anxiety in patients with terminal cancer when administered in controlled settings with psychotherapy. The substance is well tolerated and has no significant adverse effects. The review calls for more research with larger and more diverse samples.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Psilocybin is a natural substance with hallucinogenic properties that has recently been used in the field of health. It is an alkaloid that, when associated with psychotherapy, has shown benefits in the treatment of depression and anxiety. This study aims to analyze the current state of knowledge about the psychological effects of psilocybin in patients with terminal cancer. The method used was a scoping review guided by the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute, following the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews initiative. Data collection took place between August and December 2022, in the following databases: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Cumulative Index to Nursing Allied Health Literature, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences, Scopus and Web of Science. A total of 340 articles were found, nine were selected and analyzed, elucidating the beneficial psychological effects of psilocybin in patients with terminal cancer. It found that they all point to the effectiveness of psilocybin in reducing symptomatic levels of depression and anxiety. Psilocybin is well tolerated by terminal cancer patients and has no significant adverse effects when administered in controlled settings. However, more scientific studies are needed with larger and more diverse samples.