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Decreases in State and Trait Anxiety Post-psilocybin: A Naturalistic, Observational Study Among Retreat Attendees

Summary

This study followed 52 people who attended psilocybin retreats in the Netherlands and measured their anxiety levels before, one day after, and one week after the experience. Participants showed significant reductions in both immediate anxiety (state anxiety) and long-term anxiety tendencies (trait anxiety) that lasted up to a week. The anxiety improvements were most strongly linked to feeling a sense of ego dissolution during the experience and to lasting changes in personality traits, particularly becoming less neurotic.

Background

Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric disorders in Western countries with limited treatment success from conventional therapies. Historical and recent research suggests psychedelic drugs may be efficacious in alleviating anxiety symptoms. This study investigates the effects of psilocybin in a supportive group retreat setting on anxiety measures.

Objective

The main aim was to investigate the effects of psilocybin-containing truffles on state and trait anxiety ratings among self-reported healthy retreat attendees. Secondary objectives included exploring psychological processes such as mindfulness, personality changes, and ego dissolution as predictors of anxiety reduction.

Results

Significant medium reductions in state anxiety (d=0.77-0.87) and trait anxiety (d=0.52-0.77) were observed at 24 hours and 1 week post-ceremony compared to baseline. Non-judging mindfulness increased and neuroticism decreased at follow-up. Ego dissolution and neuroticism changes were the strongest predictors of state and trait anxiety reductions respectively.

Conclusion

Results demonstrate rapid and persisting anxiolytic effects up to 1 week post-psilocybin in individuals with sub-clinical anxiety. Effects are associated with acute ego dissolution and lasting changes in trait neuroticism. Findings support the feasibility and potential efficacy of group psychedelic sessions for anxiety management.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Psychiatry,
  • Study Type:Naturalistic Observational Study,
  • Source: 35873251
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