People facing terminal illnesses often grapple with significant emotional challenges, including depression, anxiety, existential fears, and a loss of purpose, making their predicament even more complex.
Although conventional treatments such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can be helpful, they might not be effective for everyone. This has prompted researchers to investigate novel, alternative strategies for end-of-life care.
Growing research suggests that psychedelic therapy could be a viable solution to alleviate existential stress in patients with incurable diseases. A review published in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics may reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, improve life quality, and lessen the fear of death in patients with life-threatening conditions.
To delve deeper into the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, many Canadians buy shrooms online for investigational purposes.
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How Psilocybin Affects the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterizes psychedelics derived from shrooms as powerful compounds that alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin pathways.
Let’s examine what various studies suggest:
| Research Conducted By | Results |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin interact with serotonin 2A receptors which regulate emotions and perception. |
| A study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound present in over 200 fungi species, could restructure the brains of individuals with depression, potentially leading to a cure. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between various brain regions in depressed individuals, potentially aiding them in overcoming excessive self-centeredness and overthinking. |
| A randomized, double-blind study by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly reduced 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 reported reduced anxiety and depression following psilocybin therapy, leading to enhancements in the management of existential distress. Moreover, the study noted a connection between the therapeutic effects and the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
Clinical Research
To support this, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain imaging.
Methodology
- First Study. All participants were battling treatment-resistant depression and were given psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants with less severe depression were not informed if they received psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also underwent identical psychotherapy.
Scans were conducted before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin therapy reduced connections within brain regions associated with depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also bolstered connections to less integrated brain areas.
- It diminished the effects of emotional avoidance and brought about significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The influence of psilocybin on brain rewiring continued for up to three weeks following the second dosage. Thus, psilocybin offers a potential alternative solution for depression by reorganizing the brain and reducing entrenched negative thinking patterns linked to the condition. This observation implies that psilocybin operates differently from conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – An Emerging Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually accompanied by psychological assistance. This approach is increasingly recognized for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal diseases.
A recent survey conducted 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, almost 4 One in every five Canadians supports the use of psilocybin to ease the existential distress associated with end-of-life scenarios.
Michel Dorval, the lead researcher, notes that research indicates psilocybin, used in combination with psychotherapy, can provide swift, potent, and long-lasting relief for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. Psilocybin therapy can elicit a deep sense of comprehension and solace, benefits that can persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey implies that individuals with prior experience in palliative care or exposure to psilocybin are more likely to express support. According to Dorval, personal encounters with end-of-life distress might contribute to this openness towards innovative treatment approaches.
Despite prevalent prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the research highlights a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The authors anticipate their findings will facilitate wider access to this promising therapeutic method.
Additional Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
A double-blind, randomized trial involving 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, found that the integration of psilocybin and psychotherapy resulted in considerably fewer heavy drinking days over approximately eight months, compared to a control group undergoing placebo therapy. The psilocybin group also consumed less alcohol on the days they chose to drink.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Despite the notorious difficulty of smoking cessation, 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 the combination of psilocybin and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helped 10 out of 15 participants to abstain from smoking for a full year. A subsequent study hinted that the psychedelic experience could play a role in reshaping a smoker’s self-perception, thus encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Potential Treatment for Anorexia
Initial research indicates that psilocybin could have therapeutic value for individuals battling anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant reductions in eating disorder symptoms and anxiety among adults with anorexia undergoing psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviation of End-of-Life Anxiety
End of Life
Many individuals with terminal illnesses often suffer from anxiety and depression. However, recent studies suggest that psilocybin therapy could offer significant relief from these conditions. Specifically, patients diagnosed with life-threatening cancers who have undergone psilocybin therapy have reported substantial decreases in their levels of anxiety and depression.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy, with its potential to deliver powerful and immediate healing outcomes, could provide enduring benefits. Each therapy session is personalized to meet individual requirements and adheres to certain clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Prior | In the initial sessions, concerns and treatment goals are discussed with a facilitator to establish a strong bond and a secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The patient is given a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting where they are lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a pre-selected playlist, and in the company of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Subsequent | Follow-up sessions are conducted to help interpret the experience with the therapist and integrate the insights into daily life. | Several sessions spanning hours |
Guidelines for Pursuing Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legal and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Choose a clinic that offers psilocybin therapy under the supervision of a trained therapist or a professional guide for a more beneficial experience.
- Interview potential therapists about their credentials, experience, therapeutic approach, and expertise in handling mental health conditions.
- Be open about your true motives for seeking treatment, mental health problems, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your particular mental health condition and seek advice and training from organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA).
- Disclose your complete medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to opt for 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 any potential need to start with smaller quantities to ensure your safety, particularly if you’re new to psilocybin therapy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you are dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or coping with a terminal illness, psilocybin therapy might be worth considering.
However, if you or your family have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, hallucinogens like psilocybin might exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, those with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally advised against this treatment.
What is the standard dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage typically varies and often starts with smaller doses in a therapeutic environment, adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical studies have shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, when combined with psychological support, resulted in decreased depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be used to treat PTSD?
This is a rapidly advancing area of research. However, studies on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used in conjunction with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are more advanced. Trials on this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
