People grappling with terminal illnesses often endure significant emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential crisis, and a sense of lost purpose. These emotions can exacerbate their already difficult circumstances.
Conventional treatments such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can provide some relief, but they may not be effective for all. This has prompted researchers to investigate novel, cutting-edge strategies for end-of-life care.
Growing evidence suggests that psychedelic therapy could be a potential remedy for existential distress in patients with incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics may help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and lessen fears associated with death in patients with life-threatening conditions.
To further investigate 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 characterizes psychedelics from shrooms as potent 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 interact with serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound in over 200 types of fungi, could restructure the brains of depression sufferers, potentially leading to a solution. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin bolsters connections between various brain regions in individuals 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 death anxiety, 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 after undergoing psilocybin therapy, resulting in a reduction in existential distress. The study further noted that these therapeutic effects were associated with the psychedelic experience prompted by psilocybin. |
Investigative Study
Researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans to provide evidence for this finding.
Methodology
- First Study. Psilocybin was administered to all participants who were all diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression.
- Second Study. Participants with less severe depression were not informed whether they were given psilocybin or a placebo antidepressant (escitalopram). All participants also underwent identical psychotherapy.
Scans were conducted before and after the treatment to assess the impacts.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connections within brain areas associated with depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also increased connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It diminished effects of emotional avoidance and brought about significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The effects of psilocybin on brain rewiring remained for up to three weeks after the second dosage. Therefore, psilocybin provides a potential alternative solution for depression by reorganizing the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought patterns related to the condition. This discovery suggests that psilocybin operates differently than conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Prospective Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy entails the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually combined with psychological assistance. This technique is receiving recognition for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, 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 sought 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 every five Canadians supports the use of psilocybin to ease existential distress at the end of life.
Lead investigator Michel Dorval noted that research has shown that psilocybin, when used in conjunction with psychotherapy, can provide fast, strong, and long-lasting relief for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. It’s important to highlight that psilocybin therapy can trigger a deep sense of comprehension and relief, which can persist for up to six months.
In addition, the survey reveals that those with a background in palliative care or prior psilocybin use expressed stronger support. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress might contribute to this openness toward unconventional approaches.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the research points to a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care situations. The authors expect these findings will improve the availability of this innovative treatment.
Further 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, indicated that psilocybin combined with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer heavy drinking days over roughly eight months compared to a control group that received placebo therapy. Additionally, the group treated with psilocybin consumed less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Quitting 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 could potentially reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
New studies suggest that psilocybin may be of help to those struggling with anorexia. A preliminary report published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 found significant reductions in eating disorder symptoms and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
End of Life
It’s common for individuals diagnosed with terminal illnesses to struggle with anxiety and depression. Encouragingly, psilocybin therapy has demonstrated potential in relieving these symptoms. Studies have revealed substantial reductions in depression and anxiety among patients facing life-threatening cancer, following psilocybin therapy.
Expectations from Psilocybin Therapy
Psilocybin therapy offers the prospect of swiftly delivering potent therapeutic results which may provide enduring benefits. Each session is custom-fitted to the individual’s needs and adheres to specific guidelines of the clinic or trial.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | The initial sessions aim to discuss any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, fostering a strong relationship and a safe environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting, lying down, with an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and accompanied by a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Follow-up sessions offer a platform to interpret the experience with the therapist, aiding in incorporating the insights into daily life. | Several sessions spanning hours |
Guidelines for Undertaking Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legal and consider joining a waiting list if needed.
- Choose a clinic that administers psilocybin treatment under the supervision of a therapist or a professional guide to ensure a more therapeutic journey.
- Interview potential therapists about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic styles, and proficiency in mental health disorders.
- Be candid about your actual motivation for seeking treatment, mental health status, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Contemplate therapists specializing in your particular mental health condition and seek advice and training from organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA).
- Present a thorough account of your medical and mental health history, particularly if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to undergo 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 your safety, especially if you’re new to psilocybin therapy, it is advised to start with lower doses under the supervision of your psilocybin therapist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is suitable for psilocybin therapy?
If you are battling depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or coping with a terminal illness, psilocybin therapy might be an option for you.
However, if there’s a history of schizophrenia or psychosis in your family, or you have been diagnosed with these conditions, substances like psilocybin could potentially exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, those with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally discouraged from this therapy.
What is the standard dosage for psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage varies and is typically started low in a therapeutic context, adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, along with psychological support, led to a decrease in depression scores for patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Can PTSD be treated with psilocybin?
This area of study is developing rapidly. However, most of the research is focused on MDMA, an unconventional psychedelic with stimulating properties used alongside psychotherapy for treating PTSD. This psychedelic has reached phase 3 in clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA could be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
