Johns Hopkins Case Study

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Lasting effects

Clark Martin’s experience with psilocybin treatments reduced his depression by changing the way he processed things in his mind. According to Clark, he changed from a controlling individual to a more trusting and spontaneous person. He also stopped making goals because he felt as if they trapped him. Instead, he now holds on to values and creates a general direction for himself. His psilocybin treatments have resulted in an increase in enthusiasm and energy, which was almost non-existent prior to his psilocybin experience (Delaney, Janeen, Levy, Annie, Walcoff, Estalyn).

Johns Hopkins University conducted a study which included 18 cancer patients. Participiants were required to take four psilocybin pills and one placebo within two months in the medical setting under trained professionals. The placebo was randomly distributed, and participants recieved dosages every moth. The research participants also completed questionaires one month after each treatment, and completed a 14 month follow up. This research specifically looked at the spiritual effects of psilocybin (Griffiths, R. R., Johnson, M. W., Richards, W. A., Richards, B. D., McCann, U., & Jesse, R. ).

An interview was conducted with research participant Clark Martin, here is summary of his experience:

Johns Hopkins University Case Study

Psilocybin experience

Clark took his psilocybin treatment in a hospital room that was decorated as a comfortable, home-like environment. His psilocybin experience started within ten minutes of taking the pill, and he was very frightened for the first hour and a half. Clark strongly believed that if professionals were not around him his experience would have been very dangerous and unpleasant, because he would have tried to walk around and grab ahold of reality during his treatment. Clark describes taking psilocybin as watching the familiar become unfamiliar. He also compares it to the brain going “offline”, and to falling in and out of a void. Furthermore, Clark describes his experience as tranquil, and comfortable. Also, during his experience he was able to look at his relationships objectively with no ego (Delaney, Janeen, Levy, Annie, Walcoff, Estalyn).

Prior to treatment

Prior to receiving these treatments Clark could only focus on his cancer and had a very narrow view on life. He went through several episodes of depression before family and friends suggested that he receive help. He tried counseling and began taking antidepressants, however the treatments did not work as fast he would have liked.

Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine

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