Historical and recent research suggests psychedelic drugs may be efficacious in alleviating anxiety-related symptoms among healthy and clinical populations. A recent study by our group investigated whether psilocybin-containing truffles, when taken in a supportive group setting, altered ratings of state and trait anxiety, and if these alterations were related to changes in neuroticism, mindfulness capacities, and the acute experience of ego dissolution. Compared to baseline, we observed rapid and persisting (up to 1 week) anxiolytic effects in individuals with sub-clinical anxiety symptoms, which were related to the acute experience of ego dissolution, as well as lasting changes in trait neuroticism. Results also add support to the feasibility and potential efficacy of group sessions with psychedelics.
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