An international web-based survey of 541 people with self-reported bipolar disorder who had used psilocybin found that about one-third experienced new or worsened symptoms (notably mania, sleep disturbance and anxiety), while emergency medical attendance was uncommon and participants overall rated psilocybin as more helpful than harmful. The authors conclude these subjective benefits warrant clinical trials in bipolar disorder but emphasise trials must include careful monitoring because bipolar symptoms may emerge or intensify after use.
Background
Psilocybin, the primary psychoactive component of psychedelic ‘magic mushrooms’, may have 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.
Papers in Blossom that reference this study
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Sabé, M., Sulstarova, A., Glangetas, A. et al. · Molecular Psychiatry (2024)
Torre, J. T. L., Gallo, J., Mahammadli, M. et al. · Journal of Psychedelic Studies (2024)
Simonsson, O., Mosing, M. A., Osika, W. et al. · JAMA Psychiatry (2024)
Aaronson, S. T., van der Vaart, A., Miller, T. et al. · JAMA Psychiatry (2024)
Black, J. C., Monte, A. A., Dasgupta, N. et al. · Nature Mental Health (2024)
Argyri, E. K., Evans, J., Luke, D. et al. · SSRN (2024)
DellaCrosse, M., Pleet, M. M., Morton, E. et al. · PLOS ONE (2022)