Healthcare workers have been stretched thin since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many experiencing burnout, depression, and PTSD. Recent studies suggest that they–along with patients–can benefit from psychedelic-assisted therapy, which can improve symptoms of depression and PTSD, acting on the serotonin system to promote neuroplasticity and improve mood, sometimes offering “life-changing” benefits to mental health and one’s personal outlook.
A new study from Huntsman Mental Health Institute at University of Utah Health combined an eight-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program with group psilocybin therapy. 46% of health care workers in the combined psychedelic therapy group symptoms of depression found their symptoms of depression lessened, while only 8% in the mindfulness-only group experienced this outcome. These findings suggest that mindfulness training along with psychedelic-assisted therapy could open new doors in treating healthcare workers experiencing burnout or depression.
Another study focusing on healthcare workers–but those without a history of depression pre-pandemic–conducted a 28-day clinical trial also using psilocybin. Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale results showed major improvements on the trial group administered psilocybin (-21 points), with modest results (-9 points) in the control group. Dr. Anthony Back at the University of Washington, one of the head clinicians on the trial, stated that psychedelic-assisted therapy has “…impressive efficacy for depressive symptoms — for this condition, it is the most effective intervention ever tested in a rigorous clinical trial.”
These results show the efficacy and potential psychedelic-assisted therapy continues to have in clinical trials, no longer just for patients, but the professionals that support them. According to the World Health Organization, “…at least a quarter of health and care workers reported anxiety, depression and burnout symptoms between January 2020 and April 2022…no significant reductions have been observed since 2022.” This neglect impacts patients and the healthcare system as a whole, and must be addressed in innovative ways to support healthcare professionals.
More trials that address this issue are needed to raise evidence of efficacy with larger and more diverse sample sizes. Sunshine Labs is proud to support and pioneer psychedelic therapy clinical trials worldwide in order to address these often-overlooked healthcare crises and save lives.