People struggling with terminal diseases frequently grapple with intense emotional distress, such as depression, anxiety, an existential crisis, and a feeling of lost purpose, which exacerbates their challenging circumstances.
Although conventional treatments like counselling and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can be helpful, they do not always produce effective results for everyone. This has prompted researchers to seek out alternative, innovative methods for end-of-life care.
Emerging research suggests that psychedelic therapy could be a promising avenue for addressing existential distress among patients suffering from incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics can help alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms, improve the quality of life, and lessen death-related fears in individuals dealing with life-threatening conditions.
Canadians often buy shrooms online to further investigate the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms.
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Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterizes psychedelics derived from shrooms as powerful substances that alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s delve into what various studies have discovered:
| Researchers | Findings |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin impact the 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, might restructure the brains of individuals with depression, potentially leading to a solution. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin bolsters connections between various brain regions in depressed individuals, possibly assisting them to overcome self-obsession and overthinking. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High psilocybin doses significantly diminished depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while improving life quality, sense of life’s significance, and optimism. |
| A clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported a reduction in anxiety. After undergoing psilocybin therapy, there have been notable reductions in anxiety and depression, leading to alleviation of existential distress. The study found that these therapeutic effects were associated with 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 these findings.
Methodology
- Study One. All the participants were dealing with treatment-resistant depression and received psilocybin.
- Study Two. Participants with mild depression were not informed whether they were given psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). They all received the same psychotherapy.
Brain scans were performed before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Treatment with psilocybin reduced connections within areas of the brain associated with depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also enhanced connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It mitigated emotional avoidance effects and significantly improved cognitive functioning.
The impact of psilocybin on brain rewiring continued for up to three weeks following the second dosage. Therefore, psilocybin shows promise as a potential alternative treatment for depression by reconfiguring the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought patterns related to the condition. These findings suggest that psilocybin operates differently than conventional antidepressants.
Potential Treatment Using Psilocybin Therapy
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually in conjunction with psychological support. This approach is increasingly being recognized for its potential effectiveness in treating treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in terminally ill patients.
A recent survey conducted by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR intended to gauge public opinion on the medical use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the poll published in Palliative Medicine, almost 4 One in every five Canadians supports the use of psilocybin to relieve existential distress at the end of life.
The primary investigator, Michel Dorval, noticed that research has shown that psilocybin, when coupled with psychotherapy, can provide quick, considerable, and long-lasting relief for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. It’s worth noting that therapy involving psilocybin can trigger a deep sense of comprehension and relief that can persist for up to six months.
In addition, the survey implies that those with knowledge in palliative care or prior psilocybin usage exhibited greater support. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress could contribute to this receptiveness towards pioneering approaches.
Despite prevalent prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study shows a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The authors expect that these results will increase the availability of this innovative treatment method.
Other Potential Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized trial involving 93 individuals, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was revealed that the combination of psilocybin and psychotherapy resulted in significantly less heavy drinking days over roughly eight months compared to a control group that received placebo therapy. The group that received psilocybin also had lower alcohol consumption on the days they did indulge.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Although quitting smoking is famously difficult, a small pilot study carried out by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, released in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, indicated that psilocybin, in conjunction with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), allowed 10 out of 15 participants to stay smoke-free for one year. A subsequent study suggested that the psychedelic experience might help reform a smoker’s identity, thus encouraging long-term abstention.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
New research indicates that psilocybin could be helpful for individuals dealing with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant decreases in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
Living with Terminal Illness
A significant number of individuals diagnosed with terminal illnesses battle with anxiety and depression. However, there’s growing evidence indicating that psilocybin therapy can help alleviate these mental health struggles. Studies reflect considerable reductions in levels of depression and anxiety in patients facing life-threatening cancer diagnoses after undergoing psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy holds the promise of delivering potent healing effects promptly, potentially offering long-term benefits. Each therapy session is uniquely tailored to suit the individual’s needs and strictly adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | The initial sessions are dedicated to discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, with the objective of establishing a trusting relationship and a safe environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a serene environment, lying down, with an eye mask on, listening to a pre-selected playlist, and in the presence of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Post-therapy sessions offer a platform to dissect the experience with the therapist, thereby aiding in assimilating the insights into daily life. | Several sessions over 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 beneficial experience.
- Meet with potential therapists to inquire about their qualifications, experience, therapy approaches, and expertise in handling mental health conditions.
- Be open about your genuine reasons for seeking treatment, mental health status, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Consider therapists with specialization in your particular mental health condition and refer to organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Give a detailed account of your medical and mental health history, especially if there is a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your choice to opt for psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and see if they are open to collaborating with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the necessity to begin with a lower dosage for increased safety when starting psilocybin therapy, especially if you’re a beginner.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is suitable for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to stop smoking, or confronting a terminal disease, psilocybin therapy might be worth considering.
However, if you have a past of schizophrenia or psychosis, or these conditions run in your family, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin could potentially exacerbate your symptoms. Similarly, psilocybin therapy is generally not recommended for those with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.
What is the standard dosage of psilocybin for therapy?
The dosage tends to vary, often starting with lower doses in a therapeutic context and adjusting according to individual responses. Clinical research shows that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, combined with psychological support, led to a reduction in depression scores in cases of treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be employed to treat PTSD?
This is an area of study that is rapidly developing. However, research on MDMA, an unconventional psychedelic with stimulant attributes used in tandem with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is more established. Studies on this psychedelic have advanced to phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may be authorized for PTSD treatment this year.
