This survey study (n=541) assessed the risk and benefits of using psilocybin in people with bipolar disorder. 32.2% of participants had new/increasing symptoms after psilocybin trips, prominently manic symptoms, difficulties sleeping and anxiety. However, most participants reported that psilocybin was more helpful than harmful.
Abstract
“Background: Psilocybin, the primary psychoactive component of psychedelic ‘magic mushrooms’, may have the potential for treating depressive symptoms and consequent applications for bipolar disorder (BD). Knowledge of the risks and benefits of psilocybin in BD is limited to case studies.
Aim: To support the design of clinical trials, we surveyed experiences of psilocybin use in people with BD.
Methods: An international web-based survey was used to explore experiences of psilocybin use in people with a self-reported diagnosis of BD. Quantitative findings were summarised using descriptive statistics. Qualitative content analysis was used to investigate free-text responses, with a focus on positive experiences of psilocybin use.
Results: A total of 541 people completed the survey (46.4% female, mean 34.1 years old). One-third (32.2%; n = 174) of respondents described new/increasing symptoms after psilocybin trips, prominently manic symptoms, difficulties sleeping and anxiety. No differences in rates of adverse events overall were observed between individuals with BD I compared to BD II. Use of emergency medical services was rare (n = 18; 3.3%), and respondents (even those who experienced adverse effects) indicated that psilocybin use was more helpful than harmful. Quantitative findings elaborated on perceived benefits, as well as the potential for psilocybin trips to contain both positively and negatively received elements.
Conclusions: The subjective benefits of psilocybin use for mental health symptoms reported by survey participants encourage further investigation of psilocybin-based treatments for BD. Clinical trials should incorporate careful monitoring of symptoms, as data suggest that BD symptoms may emerge or intensify following psilocybin use.”
Authors: Emma Morton, Kimberly Sakai, Amir Ashtari, Mollie Pleet, Erin E. Michalak & Josh Woolley
Study details
Compounds studied
Psilocybin
Topics studied
Bipolar Disorder
Study characteristics
Survey
Participants
541
Humans
Institutes
Institutes associated with this publication
University of California San FranciscoAt UCSF, there are two research teams dedicated to the study of psychedelics; the Neuroscape Psychedelic Division and the Translational Psychedelic Research Program.
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