Mushroom drug helps patients deal with death

A psychedelic drug found in magic mushrooms could help cancer patients to overcome fears about death, a study has suggested.

After taking a single dose of psilocybin as part of a course of counselling, cancer patients experienced significant drops in anxiety and depression for as long as five years.

‘‘The patients had described debilitating fears related to cancer progression or recurrence and the imminence of death,’’ said Gabby Agin-Liebes, of Palo Alto University in California.

A single dose of psilocybin, combined with the therapy, appeared to help to change their relationship with their illness, she said. ‘‘It helped them to move toward a clearer acknowledgement and acceptance of its role in their lives.’’

The study, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, comes amid a revival of interest in psychedelics.

Allan Young, of the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London, said: ‘‘Studies using psilocybin in end-of-life depression and anxiety show promising results.’’

Studies suggest that at least 25 per cent of cancer patients also suffer from depression, anxiety, sleep disorders or delirium. Trials of conventional antidepressants have suggested that they offer no clear benefit to cancer patients.

The researchers tested psilocybin on 29 people with breast, gut or blood cancers in 2015. Six months later, 80 per cent showed lower scores for depression and anxiety, with no serious side-effects.

A follow-up study of 16 patients suggested that for most of them, the treatment continued to alleviate anxiety, depression, hopelessness, demoralisation and ‘‘death anxiety’’.