People coping with terminal illnesses frequently grapple with intense emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a feeling of lost purpose, which compounds the difficulty of their situation.
While current remedies such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can provide relief, they might not be effective for everyone. This has prompted researchers to investigate non-traditional, innovative approaches for end-of-life care.
A growing body of evidence suggests that psychedelic therapy may offer a potential remedy for existential distress in patients with incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry implies that psychedelics may mitigate symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve quality of life, and lessen death-related fears among those with life-threatening conditions.
To delve deeper into the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, Canadians frequently buy shrooms online for research purposes.
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Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health categorize psychedelics derived from shrooms as powerful substances that alter cognition. They impact mood and perception by engaging with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s delve into what various studies suggest:
| Researchers | Conclusions |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics like psilocybin engage with serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A report from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a natural hallucinogenic compound present in over 200 species of fungi, may reconfigure the brains of individuals with depression, potentially offering a solution. |
| Researchers at UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between various brain regions in individuals with depression, potentially aiding them in overcoming excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind study by John Hopkins University | Large doses of psilocybin significantly decreased depression, anxiety, and fear of death, while improving life quality, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants experienced reduced anxiety |
| Psilocybin therapy has shown to alleviate anxiety and depression, resulting in a reduction in existential distress. Furthermore, the study found a correlation between the therapeutic effects and the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
Clinical Investigation
For validation, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted two studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- Study One. All participants were dealing with treatment-resistant depression and received psilocybin.
- Study Two. Participants with less severe depression were uncertain if they got psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). Every participant also participated in the same psychotherapy sessions.
Scans were conducted before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin therapy reduced connectivity within brain regions linked to depression, such as the default mode, salience, and executive networks. Simultaneously, it increased connections to less integrated brain areas.
- It reduced emotional avoidance effects and significantly improved cognitive functioning.
The effects of psilocybin on neural rewiring lasted for up to three weeks following the second dose. Therefore, psilocybin offers a potential alternative solution for depression by reshaping the brain and mitigating entrenched negative thought patterns associated with the disease. This result suggests that psilocybin operates differently than conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy refers to the controlled use of psilocybin within a therapeutic context, typically paired with psychological support. This approach is receiving recognition for its potential in treating treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal diseases.
A recent survey led by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR sought to assess public opinion on the medicinal use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the study published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4 One in five Canadians support the use of psilocybin as a means to mitigate existential distress at the end of life.
Lead investigator, Michel Dorval, noted that studies indicate psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy, can provide swift, significant, and lasting relief for individuals grappling with terminal cancer. It’s important to highlight that therapy involving psilocybin can instigate a deep-seated understanding and relief that may persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey intimates that individuals with exposure to palliative care or prior psilocybin use demonstrated greater acceptance. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress could influence this receptivity towards novel treatments.
Despite prevalent prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the research points to a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly within palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The study’s authors foresee that these insights will bolster the availability of this innovative treatment.
Further Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized study of 93 individuals, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was found that the fusion of psilocybin and psychotherapy led to a substantial reduction in heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a control group undergoing placebo therapy. The group treated with psilocybin also consumed less alcohol on the days they did indulge.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Although it’s notoriously difficult to quit smoking, a small-scale pilot study conducted by scientists at Johns Hopkins University, 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 remain smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study proposed that the psychedelic experience might assist in reshaping a smoker’s identity, thereby encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Treatment for Anorexia
Emerging studies suggest that psilocybin could be advantageous for individuals battling anorexia. A preliminary investigation published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported notable reductions in eating disorder symptoms and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
Life
It’s common for individuals diagnosed with terminal illnesses to struggle with depression and anxiety. Encouragingly, emerging evidence suggests that psilocybin therapy could help ease these distressing symptoms. Studies have highlighted remarkable decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with serious cancer diagnoses who underwent psilocybin therapy.
Expectations from Psilocybin Therapy
There’s potential in psilocybin therapy to deliver potent healing outcomes promptly, offering potentially long-term benefits. Each session is designed to cater to individual requirements and adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Prior | Initial sessions aim to discuss any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, striving to establish a trusting relationship and a secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant takes a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting, lying down, using an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and under the supervision of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Subsequent | Follow-up sessions offer an opportunity to discuss the experience with the therapist, aiding in integrating the gained insights into daily life. | Several sessions over some hours |
Recommendations for Approaching 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 guidance of a therapist or a professional guide for a more beneficial experience.
- Interview potential therapists, enquiring about their credentials, experience, therapeutic approaches, and familiarity with mental health disorders.
- Be open about your genuine motives for seeking treatment, mental health status, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Opt for therapists specializing in your particular mental health condition and seek advice and training from organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA).
- Provide a detailed account of your medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Involve your current mental health provider in your decision to undertake psilocybin therapy, and inquire if they are open to collaborating with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage regimen, protocol, and the necessity to initiate low and slow if you are new to psychedelics.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is suitable for psilocybin therapy?
If you are dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or confronting a terminal illness, psilocybin therapy could be considered.
However, if you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or these conditions run in your family, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin might exacerbate your symptoms. The same caution applies to those with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.
What is the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage usually fluctuates, often starting with lower amounts in a therapeutic context and adjusting as per individual responses. Clinical research suggests that a single dose of 25 milligrams of synthetic psilocybin, administered with psychological support, can reduce depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Is psilocybin effective in treating PTSD?
This area of study is quickly progressing. However, research on MDMA, an unconventional psychedelic with stimulant effects used in conjunction with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is more extensive. Current trials have reached phase 3, and it is expected that MDMA may be approved for treating PTSD this year.
