Those suffering from terminal illnesses frequently grapple with significant emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential crisis, and a loss of purpose, making their situation even more challenging.
While existing therapies such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can be helpful, they do not always provide relief for everyone. As a result, researchers have begun to investigate alternative, innovative methods for end-of-life care.
Emerging research suggests that psychedelic therapy could offer a potential solution for managing existential distress in patients with incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics may help relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve overall life quality, and reduce fears related to death in patients with life-threatening conditions.
To further investigate the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, many Canadians buy shrooms online for research purposes.
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How Psilocybin Affects the Brain
The National Institutes of Health defines psychedelics from shrooms as powerful substances that alter cognition. They impact 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 act on serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a natural hallucinogenic compound found in over 200 types of fungi, 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 different brain areas in depressed individuals, potentially helping them break out of excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin markedly decreased 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, which subsequently resulted in lessening existential distress. The study also discovered a correlation between the psychedelic experiences triggered by psilocybin and its therapeutic effects. |
Clinical Research
To support this, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences carried out two studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Method
- First Study. Every participant was battling treatment-resistant depression and was given psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants with milder depression didn’t know if they received psilocybin or a placebo antidepressant (escitalopram). All participants also received the same psychotherapy.
Scans were conducted before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connections within brain areas related to depression, such as the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also enhanced connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It diminished emotional avoidance tendencies and significantly improved cognitive functioning.
The effect of psilocybin on brain restructuring was sustained for up to three weeks following the second dose. Thus, psilocybin emerges as a potential alternative treatment for depression by reorganizing the brain and reducing ingrained negative thought patterns associated with the disorder. This discovery indicates that psilocybin works differently compared to conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Prospective Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually complemented with psychological assistance. This technique is gaining recognition for its potential to treat depression resistant to traditional treatments, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal diseases.
A recent survey conducted by scientists 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 every five Canadians supports the use of psilocybin to alleviate the existential distress associated with end-of-life predicaments.
The lead researcher, Michel Dorval, noted that evidence from various studies suggests that psilocybin, when used in conjunction with psychotherapy, can provide a swift, substantial, and long-lasting relief for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. It’s important to note that psilocybin therapy can trigger a deep sense of comprehension and relief that can endure for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that individuals with prior experience in palliative care or psilocybin usage showed higher approval rates. Dorval suggests that personal encounters with end-of-life distress could influence the level of openness towards such innovative treatment methods.
Despite entrenched biases towards psychedelic drugs, the research reveals a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly within the contexts of palliative and end-of-life care. The authors of the study believe their findings may pave the way for increased accessibility to this unique form of therapy.
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, revealed that pairing psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer heavy drinking days over approximately eight months, compared to a control group who received placebo therapy. The participants who received psilocybin also drank less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Despite smoking cessation being notoriously difficult, a small-scale pilot study conducted by Johns Hopkins University researchers and published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, suggested that psilocybin combined with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helped 10 out of 15 participants to stay 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. Intervention for Anorexia
Emerging research indicates that psilocybin could be a potential aid for individuals battling anorexia. A preliminary study released in May 2022 in Biological Psychiatry reported significant reductions in eating disorder symptoms and anxiety levels in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
Many individuals diagnosed with terminal diseases often grapple with anxiety and depression. Encouragingly, psilocybin therapy has shown potential in easing these symptoms. Studies have highlighted significant decreases in depression and anxiety among individuals diagnosed with life-threatening cancers who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy possesses the potential to deliver immediate and potent healing effects, possibly offering enduring benefits. Each session is custom-tailored to individual requirements and adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | The initial sessions revolve around discussing fears and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to foster a secure environment and robust relationship. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a calm setting, lying down, with an eye mask on, listening to a chosen playlist, and under the supervision of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Follow-up sessions provide an opportunity to discuss the experience with the therapist, assisting the participant in integrating the newfound insights into daily life. | Several sessions over a period of hours |
Guidelines for Navigating Through 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 professional guide for an enhanced therapeutic experience.
- Interview prospective therapists, inquiring about their credentials, experience, therapeutic strategies, and proficiency in managing mental health disorders.
- Be forthright about your genuine reasons for seeking treatment, mental health concerns, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your particular mental health disorder and seek guidance 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.
- Discuss your choice to undergo psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and inquire if they are willing to coordinate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the necessity to initiate with smaller amounts to ensure safety, especially if you are new to psilocybin therapy.
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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, you might want to consider psilocybin therapy.
However, if you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or if these conditions run in your family, hallucinogens like psilocybin might exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, people with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are usually discouraged from using it.
What is the standard dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage typically fluctuates, often starting with smaller doses in a therapeutic environment and modifying based on individual responses. Clinical research has discovered that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, used in conjunction with psychological support, led to decreased depression scores in individuals with treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be used to treat PTSD?
This is a rapidly progressing area of research. Nonetheless, the studies on MDMA, a non-conventional psychedelic substance with stimulant properties used in combination with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are further ahead. Studies on this psychedelic have advanced to phase 3 clinical trials, with expectations that MDMA may receive approval for PTSD treatment this year.
