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Effects of psilocybin therapy on personality structure
D Erritzoe1, L Roseman1, M M Nour2,3
1Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology, Division of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
|June 21, 2018
Summary
Psilocybin therapy significantly reduced neuroticism and increased extraversion and openness in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). These personality changes, linked to insightful experiences, may offer unique benefits beyond conventional treatments.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) poses a significant clinical challenge.
- Conventional antidepressant treatments have limited efficacy for some patients.
- Psilocybin, a psychedelic compound, is being investigated for its therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of psilocybin combined with psychological support on personality traits in TRD patients.
- To determine if psilocybin therapy modulates specific personality parameters.
Main Methods:
- Twenty patients with unipolar TRD received two doses of psilocybin (10 and 25 mg) in a supportive setting.
- Personality was assessed using the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) at baseline and 3-month follow-up.
- Subjective experience was measured using the Altered State of Consciousness (ASC) scale.
Main Results:
- Significant decreases in Neuroticism and significant increases in Extraversion and Openness were observed post-psilocybin.
- Increased insightfulness during the psilocybin session predicted these personality changes.
- Conscientiousness showed a trend toward increase, while Agreeableness remained unchanged.
Conclusions:
- Psilocybin therapy can induce significant, positive personality changes in TRD patients.
- The observed personality shifts, particularly in Extraversion and Openness, may be characteristic of psychedelic therapy.
- Further controlled studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore underlying neurobiological mechanisms.
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