08/23/2025
The results of Australia’s first ever clinical trial of psychedelic-assisted therapy have confirmed the treatment led to rapid and sustained reductions in depression and anxiety for its participants, along with improved quality of life and increased spiritual wellbeing.
The trial, undertaken by St Vincent’s clinical psychologist, Dr Margaret Ross, and psychiatrist, Dr Justin Dwyer, is the first in the world to offer psilocybin-assisted therapy to patients with non-malignant, life-threatening conditions such as motor neurone disease and advanced heart disease, as well as cancer.
The results are now published in the General Hospital Psychiatry journal, contributing to the growing body of evidence around the benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
“For people facing advanced illness with few treatment options for their psychological distress, this approach offers something potentially life-changing,” Dr Ross said.
“Our study indicated that psilocybin-assisted therapy can reduce depression and anxiety but also improve quality of life, mental health and spiritual and personal wellbeing. It didn’t just reduce psychological suffering; it also promoted positive interpersonal relationships and psychological states,” said Dr Dwyer.
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📸: Pat Quinn, wife of the late Michael Quinn, holds a photograph of them together. Michael took part in Australia’s first clinical trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy in palliative care, which found the treatment can deliver rapid and sustained reductions in depression and anxiety for people with advanced, life-threatening illnesses, along with improved quality of life and spiritual wellbeing.
