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DellaCrosse M, Pleet M, Morton E, Ashtari A, Sakai K, Woolley J, Michalak E. "A sense of the bigger picture:" A qualitative analysis of follow-up interviews with people with bipolar disorder who self-reported psilocybin use. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0279073. [PMID: 36516137 PMCID: PMC9749989 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES People with bipolar disorder (BD) spend more time depressed than manic/hypomanic, and depression is associated with greater impairments in psychosocial functioning and quality of life than mania/hypomania. Emerging evidence suggests psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in "magic mushrooms," is a promising treatment for unipolar depression. Clinical trials of psilocybin therapy have excluded people with BD as a precaution against possible adverse effects (e.g., mania). Our study centered the experiences of adults living with BD who consumed psilocybin-containing mushrooms, and aimed to (1) understand its subjective impacts on BD symptoms, (2) deepen understanding of Phase I survey results, and (3) elucidate specific contextual factors associated with adverse reactions in naturalistic settings. METHODS Following an international survey (Phase I), follow-up interviews were conducted with 15 respondents (Phase II) to further understand psilocybin use among adults with BD. As part of a larger mixed-methods explanatory sequential design study, reflexive thematic analysis was used to elaborate findings. RESULTS Three major themes containing sub-themes were developed. (1) Mental Health Improvements: (1.1) decreased impact and severity of depression, (1.2) increased emotion processing, (1.3) development of new perspectives, and (1.4) greater relaxation and sleep. (2) Undesired Mental Health Impacts: (2.1) changes in sleep, (2.2) increased mania severity, (2.3) hospitalization, and (2.4) distressing sensory experiences. (3) Salient Contextual Factors for psilocybin use included: (3.1) poly-substance use and psilocybin dose, (3.2) solo versus social experiences, and (3.3) pre-psilocybin sleep deprivation. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate both benefits and risks of psilocybin use in this population. Carefully designed clinical trials focused on safety and preliminary efficacy are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan DellaCrosse
- Department of Clinical Psychology, The Wright Institute, Berkeley, California, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- San Francisco Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Mollie Pleet
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- San Francisco Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Emma Morton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Amir Ashtari
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kimberly Sakai
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- San Francisco Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Josh Woolley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- San Francisco Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Erin Michalak
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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