Magic mushroom therapy aims to ease cancer Patients' fear of death

NCT ID NCT05398484

First seen Jan 05, 2026 · Last updated Jun 22, 2026 · Updated 24 times

Summary

This study tests whether a single dose of psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) combined with talk therapy can reduce anxiety, depression, and existential distress in people with advanced cancer. Two hundred participants will receive either psilocybin or an active placebo (niacin) along with psychotherapy. The goal is to see if this approach improves emotional well-being and quality of life.

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This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • NYU Langone Health

    RECRUITING

    New York, New York, 10016, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • University of Colorado Anschutz Medical campus (CU AMC)

    RECRUITING

    Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

psilocybin (a psychedelic compound) combined with psychotherapy

What this could lead to

If it works, this could offer a new way to reduce severe anxiety, depression, and fear of death in people with advanced cancer.

What could go wrong

This is an early-to-mid stage trial with only 200 participants. The active placebo (niacin) may not fully blind participants, and psilocybin can cause intense psychological experiences. Results may not apply to all cancer patients.

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

cancer

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.