People afflicted by terminal diseases frequently grapple with substantial emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential angst, and a feeling of lost direction, which further complicates their predicament.
Though existing interventions such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can offer some relief, they don’t always prove effective. As a result, researchers have begun investigating unconventional, ground-breaking strategies for end-of-life care.
There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that psychedelic therapy could potentially alleviate existential distress in patients with incurable illnesses. A study in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry posits that psychedelics might help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and lessen fear associated with death in those dealing with life-threatening conditions.
To delve deeper into the potential benefits of psilocybin mushrooms, many Canadians buy shrooms online for research purposes.
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Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterize psychedelics from shrooms as powerful substances that can alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s examine what various studies have discovered:
| Researchers | Findings |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin interact with serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound present in over 200 species of fungi, may reconfigure the brains of depression sufferers, potentially paving the way for a cure. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances communication between distinct brain regions in people with depression, potentially aiding them in overcoming excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly diminished depression, anxiety, and fear of death, while improving life quality, sense of life’s purpose, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported reduced anxiety The research discovered a reduction in anxiety and depression after psilocybin therapy, which subsequently led to a decrease in existential distress. Furthermore, the study noted that the therapeutic impacts correlated with the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
Clinical Investigation
Researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans to further validate this.
Methodology
- First Experiment. All participants had treatment-resistant depression and received psilocybin.
- Second Experiment. Participants with milder depression were not informed if they were given psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also underwent identical psychotherapy.
Scans were performed before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connectivity within brain networks associated with depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also increased connectivity to less integrated brain regions.
- It mitigated emotional avoidance effects and led to significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The influence of psilocybin on brain reconfiguration remained up to three weeks following the second dose. Therefore, psilocybin offers a possible alternative solution for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought patterns related to the disease. This outcome suggests that psilocybin operates differently from conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually accompanied by psychological support. This approach is gaining recognition for its potential to address treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with life-threatening diseases.
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 medicinal use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the survey published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4 One in five Canadians supports the use of psilocybin to mitigate existential distress at the end of life.
Lead investigator Michel Dorval noted that research indicates psilocybin, when used alongside psychotherapy, can provide quick, substantial, and long-lasting relief for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. It’s important to highlight that therapy involving psilocybin can trigger a deep sense of understanding and comfort that can persist for up to six months.
Additionally, the survey implies that those with experience in palliative care or previous psilocybin use were more supportive. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress could contribute to this openness to innovative approaches.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the research shows a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly within palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The authors foresee these findings improving access to this groundbreaking treatment.
Further Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized trial of 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was found that combining psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a placebo group. The psilocybin-receiving group also consumed less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Assistance in Smoking Cessation
Although quitting smoking is infamously difficult, a small pilot study by Johns Hopkins University researchers, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, suggested that psilocybin, in conjunction 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 could potentially reshape a smoker’s self-perception, thereby encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
Emerging studies indicate that psilocybin may be helpful for individuals with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant symptom reduction in eating disorders and anxiety among adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Reducing End-of-Life Anxiety
Many individuals who receive terminal illness diagnoses endure anxiety and depression. Encouragingly, there is substantial evidence suggesting that psilocybin therapy can help mitigate these symptoms. Studies have reported impressive reductions in depression and anxiety among patients with life-threatening cancer diagnoses who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy holds the promise of immediate and potent healing results, potentially offering enduring benefits. Each session is meticulously designed to cater to individual needs and adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Prior | The initial sessions are centered around discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to establish a strong rapport and a secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant takes a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed environment, reclining, wearing an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and accompanied by a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Subsequent | Follow-up sessions serve as a platform to decipher the experience with the therapist, thereby assisting in integrating the insights into daily life. | Multiple sessions over several hours |
Advice for Undergoing 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 outcome.
- Interview prospective therapists, inquire about their credentials, experience, therapeutic techniques, and proficiency in handling mental health issues.
- Be open about your genuine motivations for seeking treatment, mental health concerns, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Think about therapists who specialize in your particular mental health issue and consult associations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Offer a detailed account of your medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to engage in psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and inquire if they are open to collaborating with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the necessity to start For those new to psilocybin therapy, it’s recommended to start with lower doses for safety, under the guidance of your psilocybin therapist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is suitable for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re grappling with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, smoking cessation, or a terminal illness, you might want to consider psilocybin therapy.
However, if you have a past or family history of schizophrenia or psychosis, using hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin could exacerbate your symptoms. Bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are also generally contraindicated.
What’s the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage usually fluctuates, starting with lower doses in a therapeutic context and adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, along with psychological support, resulted in reduced depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be utilized for treating PTSD?
This is a rapidly advancing area of study. However, the research on MDMA, an untraditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used in combination with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is more developed. Trials on this psychedelic have progressed to phase 3 clinical trials, and it’s expected that MDMA may receive approval for PTSD treatment this year.
