Psilocybin Therapy for Individuals with Fibromyalgia
Article Title: “Preliminary Safety and Effectiveness of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy in Adults with Fibromyalgia: An Open-Label Pilot Clinical Trial”
Authors: Aday, J. S., McAfee, J., Conroy, D. A., Hosanagar, A., Tarnal, V., Weston, C., Scott, K., Horowitz, D., Harte, S. E., Pouyan, N., Glynos, N. G., Baker, A. K., Guss, J., Davis, A. K., Burgess, H. J., Mashour, G. A., Clauw, D. J., & Boehnke, K. F.
Publication Date: 2024
Background
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain condition affecting 2–4% of the population. As of yet, FM has no universally effective treatment, and the condition is characterized by widespread pain, sleep issues, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties. Given these challenges, researchers have been exploring psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT), which combines psychedelic treatment with psychotherapy, as a potential alternative for alleviating pain and improving overall well-being.
Study Overview
The researchers conducted an open-label pilot study to investigate the safety and effectiveness of psilocybin-assisted therapy for five adults with fibromyalgia. Each participant underwent psychotherapy sessions and two psilocybin doses, starting with 15mg and escalating to 25mg two weeks apart. Safety and treatment outcomes were monitored across several domains, including pain, sleep quality, and psychological well-being.
Key Findings
Safety: The treatment was generally well-tolerated. Transient side effects, such as headaches, increased heart rate, or mild gastrointestinal discomfort, resolved shortly after dosing. There were no serious adverse events.
Pain Reduction: Participants experienced significant decreases in pain severity and pain interference with everyday activities. Average pain reduction, measured one month after treatment, was clinically meaningful.
Sleep Improvement: Sleep disturbance scores markedly improved, with participants reporting enhanced sleep quality and reduced sleep-related issues.
Psychological Wellbeing: Emotional and psychological benefits included reduced anxiety and an increased sense of gratitude and social connection. Although depression scores remained mostly unchanged, participants reported improved global functioning.
Patient Experience: Qualitative feedback highlighted powerful and often transformative psychedelic experiences, featuring vivid imagery, feelings of connection, and insights into personal pain and trauma.
Discussion
The study’s findings support the safety of psilocybin-assisted therapy, even for individuals with complex chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia. Most participants experienced both physical and emotional benefits. While not all symptoms were uniformly improved, the treatment seemed to catalyse shifts in perspective and psychological insights, which might be crucial for long-term management of the condition.
Implications
The results from this small-scale study suggest that psilocybin-assisted therapy could be a valuable tool in treating fibromyalgia. However, the sample size was limited, and the open-label nature of the study means that more rigorous, controlled research is needed. Future studies may also explore how psychological insights gained from PAT translate to lasting changes in pain perception and management.
Potential Application
If subsequent large-scale trials confirm these findings, psilocybin-assisted therapy could revolutionise the approach to fibromyalgia treatment, shifting from merely addressing symptoms to promoting holistic healing. This therapy could be particularly beneficial for patients unresponsive to traditional pain management methods, offering a new pathway for relief and personal transformation.
Conclusions
This pilot study sheds light on the potential of psilocybin-assisted therapy for managing fibromyalgia symptoms safely. While the findings are preliminary, they open the door for future research into psychedelic therapy as a multifaceted treatment for chronic pain.
Reference:
Aday, J. S., McAfee, J., Conroy, D. A., et al. (2024). Preliminary safety and effectiveness of psilocybin-assisted therapy in adults with fibromyalgia: An open-label, pilot clinical trial. Preprint. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/j8zb5
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