This prospective cohort study (n=124, 62 older adults) investigates the effects of a guided psychedelic group session on well-being in older adults (OA) compared to younger adults (YA). Mixed linear regression analyses show significant improvements in well-being in both groups, particularly amplified in OA with a history of psychiatric diagnosis. Acute subjective psychedelic effects were attenuated in OA compared to YA, but a psychosocial measure of Communitas emerged as a predictor in OA, indicating the potential value of relational components in psychedelic group settings for OA.
Abstract of Effects of psychedelics in older adults: A prospective cohort study
“Affective symptoms such as anxiety, low mood, and loneliness are prevalent and highly debilitating symptoms among older adults (OA). Serotonergic psychedelics are novel experimental interventions for affective disorders, yet little is known regarding their effects in OA. Using a prospective cohort design, we identified 62 OA (age ≥ 60 years) and 62 matched younger adults (YA) who completed surveys two weeks before, and one day, two weeks, four weeks, and six months after a guided psychedelic group session in a retreat setting. Mixed linear regression analyses revealed significant well-being improvements in OA and YA, amplified in OA with a history of a psychiatric diagnosis. Compared to YA, acute subjective psychedelic effects were attenuated in OA and did not significantly predict well-being changes. However, a psychosocial measure of Communitas emerged as a predictor in OA, suggesting that the relational components in psychedelic group settings may hold particular value for OA.”
Authors: Hannes Kettner, Leor Roseman, Adam Gazzaley, Robin L. Carhart-Harris & Lorenzo Pasquini
Summary of Effects of psychedelics in older adults: A prospective cohort study
Loneliness, a subjective feeling of being socially isolated, is a major modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline and worsening of mental well-being in older adults. It has been shown to spread among social networks and predict low life satisfaction, depressive symptoms, cognitive impairments, and Alzheimer’s disease dementia.
Conventional antidepressants are less effective in treating affective symptoms in OA patient populations and are associated with increased incidence of adverse respiratory and gastrointestinal events, as well as emotional blunting.
Serotonergic psychedelics, such as psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and mescaline, have recently garnered increasing research interest, following several clinical trials suggesting the therapeutic potential for these substances in the treatment of affective symptoms across various neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Effects of psychedelics in older adults: A prospective cohort study
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2024.05.007
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Cite this paper (APA)
Kettner, H., Roseman, L., Gazzaley, A., Carhart-Harris, R. L., & Pasquini, L. (2024). Effects of psychedelics in older adults: A prospective cohort study. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
Study details
Participants
124
Humans