Depression affects nearly 40% of individuals diagnosed with lung cancer, frequently accompanied by anxiety, hopelessness, and concerns about prognosis.
Now, researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education are conducting the first clinical trial specifically designed to test psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression in people with lung cancer.
Cancer Treatment Outpaced the Mental Health Side
Although advances in lung cancer treatment have helped patients live longer, the psychological effects of the disease can still be profound. Depression, anxiety, and distress can affect quality of life, daily routines, relationships, and how patients experience cancer treatment. Even though there has been progress in the care of cancer patients, the methods available for managing depression associated with cancer have not changed as much.
Psilocybin-assisted therapy has shown promise for relieving depression in people with cancer more broadly. Yet up to now, its effectiveness in treating depression in patients with lung cancer, who frequently face particular psychological difficulties, had not been studied.
“There is growing evidence that psilocybin-assisted therapy may help relieve depression in people with cancer, but no study has focused specifically on patients with lung cancer,” said Alan Davis, PhD, co-principal investigator of the study and director of Ohio State’s Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education. “This is the first clinical trial designed to determine whether this approach can address the unique psychological challenges faced by this patient population.”
Guilt, Stigma, and an Advanced Diagnosis
Theodore Wagener, PhD, director of Ohio State’s Center for Tobacco Research, sees the diagnosis compress a lifetime of questions into a matter of weeks. “Many patients are diagnosed with advanced disease and are forced to confront questions about their future very quickly,” he said.
“Patients may experience anxiety, existential distress, loss of meaning and concerns about their families. Some also carry guilt tied to the stigma that can be associated with lung cancer,” Wagener added.
Both Wagener and Davis are scientists with the OSUCCC – James Cancer Control Research Program.
One Dose, Eight Hours of Preparation
The clinical trial relies on a single dose of psilocybin. Participants complete about eight hours of preparatory sessions with two therapists before taking the psilocybin dose in a controlled clinical setting. They then attend counseling sessions to work through their experiences.
“From the moment patients enter the study, they are paired with two therapists who support them throughout the entire process,” Davis said. “The goal is to help participants feel safe, build trust and make sense of their experiences in ways that may improve their well-being.”
The study is enrolling patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, the most prevalent subtype of the disease. Researchers are also monitoring whether psilocybin affects inflammation, although this aspect of the research remains in its early stages.
“I Didn’t Want to Live”
Betty Paschall received a stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis and initially struggled with overwhelming depression despite receiving cancer treatment. “I didn’t want to live,” she said. “It was like I was the walking dead.”
After taking part in the trial, Paschall said that her outlook improved noticeably. She picked up the activities that she had earlier given up and started to reestablish contact with the people and the experiences that had once brought her joy. “My sister and daughter both saw a difference in me,” she said. “I started to get back to myself a little more.”
Still Experimental, Still Early
The researchers stress that psilocybin-assisted therapy remains experimental and that regulators have not yet approved it for general clinical use. Participants undergo careful screening, and treatment is provided under close medical supervision. If the trial proves effective, researchers will conduct further studies to determine which patient groups are most likely to benefit and support larger trials that could broaden treatment options for cancer-associated depression.
“Cancer care has made major advances, but treatment for the depression, anxiety and distress that can come with advanced cancer has not moved as quickly,” Wagener said. “We hope this research helps us better support the whole person, not just the cancer.”
Results from the trial are not yet available. While Paschall’s experience is anecdotal and preliminary, the trial reflects a broader effort to address the psychological as well as physical burdens faced by people with advanced lung cancer.
Austin Burgess is a writer and researcher with a background in sales, marketing, and data analytics. He holds an MBA, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and a data analytics certification. His work focuses on breaking scientific developments, with an emphasis on emerging biology, cognitive neuroscience, and archaeological discoveries.