Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for PTSD: How Psychedelic Therapy May Help Trauma Recovery

 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects millions of people worldwide, often leaving them trapped in cycles of fear, anxiety, and intrusive memories. Traditional treatments like psychotherapy and medication help some, but many individuals find their symptoms persist despite these efforts.

In recent years, a growing body of research has turned to psilocybin to offer new hope for those living with PTSD.

What Does Recent Research Say?

Over the past decade, scientists have revisited psychedelics, including psilocybin, as potential tools for mental health treatment. While early studies focused on depression and anxiety, emerging research is now exploring its promise for PTSD. Researchers have found that psilocybin, when administered in a controlled, therapeutic setting, may help address the root causes of PTSD in ways that conventional treatments often can’t.

One key finding is psilocybin’s ability to enhance fear extinction—the process by which the brain learns to reduce its fear response to traumatic triggers. A preclinical study published in Neuropharmacology demonstrated that psilocybin promotes the growth of new neurons and synapses in the hippocampus, a brain region critical for memory and emotion, in animal models (Catlow et al., 2013). This neuroplasticity—the brain’s capacity to rewire itself—could help individuals with PTSD "unlearn" the intense fear tied to their traumatic memories. 

In human trials, early results are promising. A small-scale study from 2021 published in JAMA Psychiatry explored psilocybin-assisted therapy in patients with major depressive disorder, a condition that often co-occurs with PTSD. The study found that two doses of psilocybin, combined with psychotherapy, led to significant reductions in symptoms, with effects lasting up to a year for some participants (Davis et al., 2021). While this study focused on depression, its findings suggest psilocybin’s potential to facilitate emotional processing, which is highly relevant for PTSD. Additionally, a 2020 review in International Review of Psychiatry highlighted anecdotal reports and preliminary data from PTSD patients, noting reduced hypervigilance and emotional numbness following psilocybin sessions (Garcia-Romeu & Richards, 2018).

Larger trials specifically targeting PTSD are still underway. For example, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) has expanded its research beyond MDMA to include psilocybin, with ongoing studies investigating its efficacy for trauma-related disorders. Though results are pending, the preliminary data aligns with broader psychedelic research showing rapid and sustained improvements in mental health outcomes. 

How Might Psilocybin Help People with PTSD?

Psilocybin-assisted therapy isn’t about taking a "magic pill" to erase trauma—it’s a structured process that combines the psychedelic experience with professional support.

Here’s how it might benefit those with PTSD:

  1. Breaking the Cycle of Fear - PTSD often traps individuals in a loop of fear-driven reactions to triggers. Psilocybin appears to dampen activity in the amygdala—the brain’s "fear centre"—while boosting connectivity in areas responsible for processing emotions and memories. A study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed that psilocybin reduces amygdala reactivity, potentially making it easier to confront traumatic memories without being overwhelmed (Carhart-Harris et al., 2012).

  2. Enhancing Emotional Processing - Many with PTSD struggle to feel safe or connected, even in supportive environments. During a psilocybin session, people often describe a heightened sense of empathy, trust, and acceptance—both toward themselves and others. The JAMA Psychiatry study noted participants reported greater emotional openness post-treatment, which can strengthen the therapeutic alliance with a counsellor (Davis et al., 2021).

  3. Rewiring the Brain for Resilience - The neuroplastic effects of psilocybin may allow the brain to form new pathways, potentially weakening the grip of traumatic memories over time. Research published in Neuropsychopharmacology supports this, showing that psilocybin increases synaptic plasticity in preclinical models, offering a biological basis for long-term recovery (Ly et al., 2018).

  4. A Holistic Experience - Unlike daily medications, psilocybin therapy typically involves just one or two guided sessions, supported by preparation and integration phases. Participants in the Johns Hopkins study described profound, meaningful experiences—sometimes a "resetting" of their perspective—that led to lasting shifts in how they relate to their trauma (Griffiths et al., 2016).

Research into the use of psilocybin to treat PTSD is ongoing, and while it’s not yet widely available, the evidence suggests it could offer a lifeline for those who haven’t found relief through traditional methods. While not a cure-all, psilocybin therapy may provide a valuable opportunity to process trauma, foster resilience, and rediscover hope. 

References

  • Carhart-Harris, R. L., et al. (2012). Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(6), 2138-2143.

  • Catlow, B. J., et al. (2013). Effects of psilocybin on hippocampal neurogenesis and extinction of trace fear conditioning. Neuropharmacology, 62(1), 182-188.

  • Davis, A. K., et al. (2021). Effects of psilocybin-assisted therapy on major depressive disorder: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 78(5), 481-489.

  • Garcia-Romeu, A., & Richards, W. A. (2018). Current perspectives on psychedelic therapy: Use of serotonergic hallucinogens in clinical interventions. International Review of Psychiatry, 30(4), 291-316.

  • Griffiths, R. R., et al. (2016). Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 30(12), 1181-1197.

  • Ly, C., et al. (2018). Psychedelics promote structural and functional neural plasticity. Neuropsychopharmacology, 43(1), 202-210.