People grappling with terminal diseases frequently experience emotional upheaval, including depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a loss of purpose, which further complicates their situation.
Although present interventions like counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can be helpful, they do not yield results for everyone. Hence, researchers are seeking innovative, alternative approaches to palliative care.
There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that psychedelic therapy could potentially alleviate existential distress in patients with incurable illnesses. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics can help relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve quality of life, and lessen death-related fears in patients with life-threatening conditions.
To further investigate the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, many Canadians buy shrooms online for research purposes.
[toc]
How Psilocybin Affects the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterizes psychedelics derived from mushrooms as powerful substances that can alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s examine the findings of various studies:
| Researchers | Discoveries |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin affect serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound found in over 200 types of fungi, could possibly restructure the brains of people with depression, potentially leading to a remedy. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between various brain regions in individuals with depression, potentially enabling them to overcome excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly minimized depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while improving life quality, sense of life’s significance, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported diminished anxiety. and depression after undergoing psilocybin therapy, which led to a reduction in existential distress. The study also found a correlation between the therapeutic effects and the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
Clinical Research
Researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants, who underwent fMRI brain scans to provide evidence for this.
Methodology
- First Study. All participants were dealing with treatment-resistant depression and received psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants with less severe depression were not aware if they were given psilocybin or a placebo antidepressant (escitalopram). All participants also participated in the same psychotherapy sessions.
Brain scans were taken before and after the treatment to assess the outcomes.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connections within brain areas linked with depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks, while enhancing connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It mitigated emotional avoidance effects and resulted in significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The effect of psilocybin on the restructuring of the brain lasted up to three weeks after the second dose. Therefore, it suggests that psilocybin could be an alternative treatment for depression by altering the brain and reducing entrenched negative thoughts associated with the condition. This discovery implies that psilocybin operates differently compared to conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Potential Therapeutic Solution
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually along with psychological assistance. This approach is increasingly being recognized for its potential to treat depression resistant to conventional treatments, anxiety, and existential distress in terminally ill patients.
A recent survey carried out by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR aimed to gauge public opinion on the use of psilocybin for medical purposes in end-of-life care. According to the survey published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4
One in every five Canadians supports the use of psilocybin to help mitigate existential distress at the end of life.
The lead researcher, Michel Dorval, has noted that research shows psilocybin, when used alongside psychotherapy, can provide prompt, substantial, and lasting relief for individuals dealing with advanced cancer. It’s important to highlight that psilocybin therapy can trigger a deep sense of understanding and relief that can persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that individuals with experience in palliative care or prior use of psilocybin expressed stronger support. Dorval suggested that personal experiences with end-of-life distress could contribute to this open-mindedness towards innovative treatment methods.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the research shows a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The authors expect these results to boost the accessibility of this groundbreaking therapy.
Additional Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized trial with 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was found that pairing psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer heavy drinking days over roughly eight months compared to a control group undergoing placebo therapy. The group treated with psilocybin also drank less on the days when they did consume alcohol.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Breaking the habit of smoking is notoriously difficult, but a small pilot study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, suggested that psilocybin, in combination with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), helped 10 out of 15 participants to stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience might help reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby facilitating long-term abstinence.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
New research indicates that psilocybin could be helpful for individuals struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study, published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022, reported significant reductions in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
End of Life
It is common for individuals diagnosed with terminal illnesses to suffer from anxiety and depression. However, there is an increasing body of evidence suggesting that psilocybin therapy can help mitigate these symptoms. Studies have indicated significant reductions in depression and anxiety in patients diagnosed with life-threatening cancer who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
Expectations from Psilocybin Therapy
Psilocybin therapy promises potent healing outcomes promptly, potentially offering enduring benefits. Each session is customized to meet individual needs and adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | The initial sessions are focused on discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator. The aim is to establish a robust relationship and a secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a comfortable environment while lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a selected playlist, and under the guidance of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | The follow-up sessions offer a platform to decipher the experience with the therapist, which aids in integrating the insights into everyday life. | Several sessions lasting hours |
Guidelines for Undertaking Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legal and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Choose a clinic that administers psilocybin treatment under the supervision of a therapist or a professional guide for a more therapeutic experience.
- Conduct interviews with potential therapists, inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic approaches, and expertise in mental health conditions.
- Be open about your genuine reasons for seeking treatment, mental health issues, medical history, and family mental health history.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your particular mental health condition and consult organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Provide a thorough account of your medical and mental health history, especially if you have a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to pursue psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and check if they are willing to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the requirement to initiate a tapering schedule, if applicable, with your therapist.
Buy Shrooms Online at Mushroom Gummies Canada
At Mushroom Gummies Canada, we acknowledge the potential benefits of psilocybin therapy for mental health conditions such as treatment-resistant depression. Our user-friendly online dispensary offers a wide range of magic mushroom products, including dried shrooms, shroom edibles, and diverse strains to meet your needs.
Customer satisfaction is our utmost priority at our mushroom dispensary. We provide a secure and reliable online platform for buying magic mushrooms. Explore the wellness benefits of small doses or delve into therapeutic usage with higher doses. Uncover the transformative power of psychedelics and embrace mental health wellness with Mushroom Gummies Canada. Purchase magic mushrooms online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re grappling with issues such as depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to stop smoking, or dealing with a terminal illness, you might find psilocybin therapy beneficial.
However, if you have a history or family predisposition of schizophrenia or psychosis, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin could potentially exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, those with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally cautioned against it.
What is the standard dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage often varies, typically starting with smaller doses in therapeutic settings and adjusting according to individual responses. Clinical studies have shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, paired with psychological support, led to decreased depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be used to treat PTSD?
Research in this field is developing rapidly. Nonetheless, studies on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant qualities used along with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are more advanced. Trials of this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it’s projected that MDMA may receive approval for PTSD treatment this year.
