Psilocybin for Anxiety Disorders

279 papers and 49 clinical trials exploring psilocybin as a treatment for anxiety disorders.

Blossom tracks 279 papers and 49 clinical trials examining psilocybin as a treatment for anxiety disorders. Psilocybin acts primarily as a 5-ht2a agonist (prodrug to psilocin). The papers and trials below are sorted by recency, and reported adverse events and dosing protocols are summarised in the linked overviews.

Psilocybin Anxiety Disorders Adverse events Dose summary Clinical guidelines

CompoundClassic Psychedelic

Psilocybin

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring tryptamine psychedelic that acts as a prodrug to psilocin, a potent 5-HT2A receptor agonist. It is the furthest advanced psychedelic in clinical development, with two positive Phase III trials in treatment-resistant depression and expanding regulated access in Australia, Germany, and US states.

Full Psilocybin profile

IndicationThe most common mental disorders, about 301 million people worldwide

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in the world, yet for primary anxiety (generalised anxiety, social anxiety, panic) the psychedelic evidence is surprisingly thin. The clear front-runner is LSD: MindMed’s MM120 met its Phase 2b endpoint in generalised anxiety disorder and is now in two Phase 3 trials. Most other psychedelic anxiety data comes from cancer and end-of-life distress, a different problem covered on our palliative page, or is measured as a side effect of treating depression.

Full Anxiety Disorders profile

Safety summary

Psilocybin for Anxiety Disorders: adverse events

Psilocybin safety reports for Anxiety Disorders most often include headache, nausea, anxiety, fatigue among the source-backed named adverse events currently normalized in Blossom.

17 source papers|80 named AE rows|Top events: headache, nausea, anxiety

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Dose summary

Psilocybin for Anxiety Disorders: dose summaries

Psilocybin clinical studies for Anxiety Disorders include 52 structured dose rows across 37 linked trials. Common source-reported dose patterns include 25 mg, 10 mg, 15-25 mg. Interpret these as descriptive trial protocols, not treatment recommendations.

76 source papers|52 dose rows|Patterns: 25 mg, 10 mg, 15-25 mg

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Clinical guidelines

Psilocybin clinical practice guidance

Blossom tracks 30 trial-anchored clinical guidelines for psilocybin, covering screening, dosing-session facilitation, safety, and integration competencies relevant to anxiety disorders research.

30 guidelines|Psilocybin protocol family

View Psilocybin guidelines

Academic Research

279 papers

Open Accessindividual

Sex-Specific Effects of Psilocybin Versus Escitalopram on Anxiety and Anhedonia: A Bayesian Reanalysis of Antidepressant Treatment Outcomes

This reanalysis of a six-week double-blind randomised controlled trial compared psilocybin with escitalopram in adults with moderate-to-severe depression and found sex-specific patterns in response. Women given psilocybin had greater reductions in anxiety, while women given escitalopram had greater reductions in anhedonia; other differences were small and uncertain.

Published: June 19, 2026
Journal: Research Square
Authors: Frick, A., Blest-Hopley, G., Grin, M., Erritzoe, D., Nutt, D., Carhart-Harris, R.

Paywallindividual

Changes in anxiety, quality of life, and functioning following psilocybin-assisted therapy in veterans with treatment-resistant depression

This secondary analysis of an open-label trial (n=15) examined a single 25 mg dose of psilocybin with psychological support in veterans with treatment-resistant depression, focusing on anxiety, quality of life, functioning, and PTSD symptoms. Improvements were observed across these measures, but most were no longer significant after accounting for concurrent improvements in depression.

Published: June 4, 2026
Journal: Journal of Affective Disorders
Authors: Kelly, C. M., Fradet, M., Bostian, C. M., Donnelly, A., Ellis, S., Ostacher, M., Aaronson, S., Suppes, T.

Open Accessindividual

Psychedelic-assisted therapy: a survey on the clinical methods of Swiss physicians

This survey study (n=41) examined how Swiss physicians provide psychedelic-assisted therapy under legal exemptions, mainly for depression, anxiety, PTSD and chronic pain. It found wide variation in practice, with psilocybin, MDMA and LSD commonly used, music often played during sessions, and adverse effects usually including disorientation, feeling cold, anxiety and nausea.

Published: May 20, 2026
Journal: Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology
Authors: Beichmann, K., Catzeflis, P., Aicher, H. D., Seragnoli, F., Calder, A., Amrani, A., Hasler, G.

Open Accessindividual

Short-Term and Late-Term Effects of Psilocybin on Symptoms in Major Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

This double-blind placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial (n=35) found that a single 25 mg dose of psilocybin, given with psychotherapy, reduced depression symptoms in people with moderate to severe recurrent major depressive disorder within days and for more than three months on some measures. Most side effects were mild or moderate, but two participants had severe anxiety that needed medical attention.

Published: May 15, 2026
Journal: JAMA Network Open
Authors: Yngwe, H., Plavén-Sigray, P., Ekman, C. J., Henje, E., Berglund, A., Tiger, M., Beckman, M., Lundberg, J.

Open Accessindividual

Major life changes following psychedelic use: A retrospective survey among people using psychedelics naturalistically

This survey (n=581) evaluates the Psychedelic-related Major Life Changes Questionnaire (P-MLCQ) in people reporting naturalistic psychedelic use. It finds that 82.96% of participants reported major life changes in at least one domain, including goals (53.7%), values (53.53%), and spirituality (49.05%), with changes rated highly positively (M = 4.64/5). Frequency of use correlated with more changes (r = 0.34), while education level was negatively associated with the number of changes (β = -0.137).

Published: April 15, 2026
Journal: Scientific Reports
Authors: Aday, J. S., Glynos, N., Baker, A., Pouyan, N., Barron, J., Herberholz, M., Kruger, D. J., Woolley, J. D., Boehnke, K. F.

Open Accessindividual

A phase 1 study of a second experience with Group Retreat Psilocybin Therapy for partial responders after a first experience

This Phase 1 study (n=13) tested a second group retreat psilocybin therapy session in people with metastatic cancer who had only partly responded before. It found no serious side effects, and anxiety and depression scores improved, with more participants reporting a full mystical experience after the second session.

Published: April 14, 2026
Authors: Back, A. L., McGregor, B. A., Thorn, L. L., Harvey, K., Blom, D., Callan, G., Guy, J., Kumar, S., Hershberg, R., Layer, M., Levin, J., Myers, S., Perez, J., Salmonson, K., Thompson, P., Whinney, J.

Clinical Trials

49 trials

Not yet recruitingPhase II

Group Retreat Psilocybin Therapy for Healthcare Clinicians With Loss of Meaning in Their Work and Symptoms of Depression

This Phase II, non-randomised, single-arm sequential dose-finding trial (n=72) will evaluate group retreat psilocybin therapy for healthcare clinicians with symptoms of depression and loss of meaning in their work. It will assess the feasibility, safety, and preliminary clinical effects of different preparation “doses” before a single psilocybin retreat session. Participants will be healthcare clinicians aged 25-70 years who are currently in clinical practice and have moderate or greater depressive symptoms. The study uses three sequential cohorts, each with 8 participants per retreat and 3 retreats per cohort, comparing 7 preparation sessions (6 virtual and 1 in-person), 4 preparation sessions (3 virtual and 1 in-person), and 2 preparation sessions (1 virtual and 1 in-person). The psilocybin dose depends on antidepressant use: 25 mg plus an optional 10 mg booster for those not taking an antidepressant, or 35 mg plus an optional 10 mg booster for those taking an antidepressant. The intervention includes preparation sessions, a single psilocybin session, and integration sessions, with outcomes collected at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after the retreat.

Started: June 1, 2026
Type: interventional
Blinding: none
Randomized: No
Registry ID: NCT07565909

Not yet recruitingPhase II

NeuroGuard: Psilocybin Trial for Preventing Chemo-induced Neuropathy

This Phase II, randomised, open-label, parallel trial (n=83) will assess whether prophylactic psilocybin prevents or mitigates chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in adults receiving adjuvant neurotoxic chemotherapy (taxanes or platinum agents) for breast, colorectal, or head and neck cancers; the primary outcome is the proportion of participants with a ≥25% worsening from baseline to Week 12 on the EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 sensory subscale. Participants are randomised to one of three arms: Arm A receives supervised oral psilocybin 25 mg given as four doses (two pre-chemotherapy doses one week apart on Day 7 and Day 14, then two monthly doses prior to chemotherapy cycles 2 and 3 on Day 42 and Day 70); Arm B receives subperceptual oral psilocybin 1mg administered every other day during a two-week pre-chemotherapy run-in (mailed as 7×1 mg capsules in tamper-evident packaging) with dosing continued prior to the first three cycles (total 21 doses); Arm C receives standard of care with no study drug. The primary analysis compares 25 mg versus pooled control (standard of care plus 1 mg), tested two-sided at α=0.05 with confirmatory pairwise tests (25 mg vs SOC; 25 mg vs 1 mg) using Hochberg adjustment if significant. Key secondary objectives include rates of chemotherapy dose modifications for neurotoxicity, NCI-CTCAE measures of CIPN, and effects on quality of life and psychosocial outcomes assessed with instruments such as PROMIS-10, PROMIS-A, PROMIS-D, FACT-Cog, PSQI, BFI, MDASI, MEQ30 and the Flourishing scale. Eligible participants are adults (≥18 years) with ECOG 0–2, no pre-existing peripheral neuropathy greater than Grade 1, and scheduled for relevant chemotherapy; safety and adverse events are followed through study completion (average 1 year).

Started: May 4, 2026
Type: interventional
Blinding: none
Randomized: Yes
Registry ID: NCT07227909

RecruitingPhase II

Group Retreat Psilocybin Therapy for the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression in Patients With Metastatic Solid Tumors or Incurable Hematologic Malignancies

This Phase II, single-group trial (n=18) will evaluate the safety and efficacy of group retreat psilocybin therapy for treating anxiety and depression in patients with metastatic solid tumours or incurable hematologic malignancies. The study aims to address the profound suffering caused by unrelieved anxiety and existential distress in this population by using psilocybin, which is believed to disrupt negative thought patterns and enhance mood regulation. Participants will receive a pharmaceutical-grade psilocybin orally, with a potential booster dose administered based on clinical judgement. Participants will engage in a series of preparatory and integration therapy sessions, both virtual and in-person, leading up to and following the psilocybin administration. The treatment regimen includes group preparation sessions on days -14, -7, and -1, an individual preparation session on day -1, and integration sessions on days 1, 8, 15, and 22. Following the treatment, patients will be monitored for adverse events over a period of up to 6 months, with follow-up assessments at 8, 12, and 24 weeks post-treatment. The study is set to begin in April 2026 and aims to provide insights into the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in this vulnerable patient group.

Started: April 1, 2026
Type: interventional
Blinding: none
Randomized: No
Registry ID: NCT07336238

RecruitingPhase II

A clinical trial of 5 mg psilocybin plus psychological support vs 25 mg psilocybin plus psychological support in adults with generalised anxiety disorder

Phase IIb randomised, double-blind trial (n=96) comparing two doses of psilocybin (25 mg vs 5 mg) plus psychological support; two doses given one month apart with outcomes over 33 weeks in adults with severe GAD.

Started: April 1, 2026
Type: interventional
Blinding: double
Randomized: Yes
Registry ID: ISRCTN14487299

Not yet recruitingPhase I

A Phase 1, Open-label, Single-arm Basket Trial of the Intravenously Administered Psilocin (TRP-8803): Safety, Anxiety, and Quality of Life Across Health Conditions Characterised by Cognitive Inflexibility, Emotional Distress, and Persistent Bodily Symptom Burden

This Phase 1, open‑label, single‑arm basket trial (N=66) tests the safety and early clinical effects of intravenous psilocin (TRP‑8803) administered in two dosing sessions alongside psychotherapy over a 6‑week treatment period, with a 12‑week follow‑up. Conducted in Australia and sponsored by Tryp Therapeutics, the study enrols participants across ten diagnostic cohorts — anorexia nervosa, body dysmorphic disorder, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, generalised anxiety disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, long COVID, major depressive disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder and post‑traumatic stress disorder — to evaluate tolerability and signals of benefit in anxiety and quality of life. As a Phase 1 trial the primary outcomes focus on safety and tolerability (adverse events, vital signs and treatment‑emergent effects), with secondary or exploratory outcomes assessing changes in anxiety symptoms and health‑related quality of life using standardised, validated instruments. The single‑arm, open‑label design means there is no placebo or active comparator, and efficacy assessments are intended to generate preliminary, hypothesis‑generating data to inform the design of subsequent controlled studies. The study began recruitment in November 2025.

Started: November 3, 2025
Type: interventional
Blinding: none
Randomized: Yes
Registry ID: ACTRN12625000949482

RecruitingPhase III

Psilocybin Microdose for Psychological and Existential Distress in Palliative Care (PSYCHED-PAL-RCT)

Phase III, randomized, quadruple-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-arm RCT (n=120) testing psilocybin microdosing (2–3 mg, 4 days/week for 2 weeks) versus placebo to reduce psychological and existential distress in patients receiving palliative care.

Started: August 1, 2025
Type: interventional
Blinding: quadruple
Randomized: Yes
Registry ID: NCT07063862

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Search all Psilocybin papers Search all Anxiety Disorders trials Full Psilocybin profile Full Anxiety Disorders profile