People grappling with terminal illnesses frequently experience a substantial emotional upheaval, including feelings of depression, anxiety, existential fear, and a loss of life’s purpose, making their condition even harder to manage.
Existing treatment options like counselling and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can provide relief, but they may not be effective for all individuals. This has prompted researchers to investigate alternative, innovative measures for end-of-life care.
There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that psychedelic therapy might be a potential solution for treating existential distress in patients with incurable diseases. A review published in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry posits that psychedelics can help ease symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve the quality of life, and alleviate fears associated with death among patients with life-threatening conditions.
Canadians often buy shrooms online, to further investigate the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms.
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The Influence of Psilocybin on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health define psychedelics derived from shrooms as powerful substances that can alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Here’s what various studies have found:
| Researchers | Findings |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin interact with serotonin 2A receptors, which govern emotions and perception. |
| A study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound found in over 200 species of fungi, could potentially reconfigure the brains of individuals experiencing depression, possibly leading to a resolution. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances the connections between different regions of the brain in individuals suffering from 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 reduced levels of depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while improving life quality, sense of life’s purpose, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported a decrease in anxiety. |
| Psilocybin therapy has shown positive effects in reducing anxiety and depression, leading to significant alleviation of existential distress. The study further revealed a connection between these therapeutic impacts and the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
Scientific Investigation
Researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted two research studies involving 60 participants, who were subjected to fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Study. Psilocybin was administered to all the participants, who were suffering from treatment-resistant depression.
- Second Study. In this study, participants with less severe depression were unaware if they were given psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All these participants also underwent identical psychotherapy.
Brain scans were conducted before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment decreased connections within brain areas linked to depression, such as the default mode, salience, and executive networks, while strengthening connections to less integrated brain areas.
- The treatment reduced emotional avoidance and significantly improved cognitive functioning.
The effect of psilocybin on brain restructuring lingered for up to three weeks following the second dose. Therefore, psilocybin offers a potential alternative treatment for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing deep-rooted negative thoughts associated with the disorder. This suggests that psilocybin operates differently from conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – An Emerging Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy, which involves the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting often accompanied by psychological support, is increasingly being recognized for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in terminally ill patients.
A recent survey carried out by researchers from the Faculty of Pharmacy at Université Laval, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR aimed to gauge public opinion on the medical use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the survey published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4
One in five Canadians supports the utilization of psilocybin for easing existential distress at the end of life.
Lead investigator Michel Dorval noted that research indicates psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy, can rapidly and effectively provide lasting relief for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. It’s significant to mention that therapy involving psilocybin can induce deep understanding and consolation, effects which can persist for up to six months.
In addition, the survey implies that those with a background in palliative care or prior psilocybin use expressed more support. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress might contribute to this receptiveness towards innovative approaches.
Despite preexisting prejudices towards psychedelic drugs, the research shows a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in the context of palliative and end-of-life care. The authors expect that these findings will enhance the availability of this emerging therapy.
Further Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized trial involving 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was found that the integration of psilocybin and psychotherapy resulted in significantly reduced heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a control group undergoing placebo therapy. Additionally, the group that received psilocybin consumed less alcohol on the days they drank.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Despite the notorious difficulty in quitting smoking, a small pilot study conducted by Johns Hopkins University researchers, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, suggested that psilocybin, coupled with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), enabled two-thirds of the participants to stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience might help reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby fostering long-term abstinence.
3. Treatment for Anorexia
Emerging studies suggest that psilocybin may be advantageous for individuals struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant symptom reduction in eating disorders and anxiety among adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
Life
Individuals diagnosed with terminal diseases often grapple with depression and anxiety. Encouragingly, studies suggest that psilocybin therapy may significantly reduce these symptoms. Specifically, patients facing life-threatening cancer who participated in psilocybin therapy exhibited marked decreases in both anxiety and depression.
What Should You Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy is a powerful therapeutic tool that provides immediate, potentially long-lasting benefits. Every session is custom-designed to cater to individual needs and adheres to the specific guidelines of the clinic or trial.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Prior | Introductory sessions are centered around open discussions of any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, fostering a strong bond and secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed environment, reclining, wearing an eye mask, tuning into a chosen playlist, and under the supervision of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Subsequent | Follow-up sessions offer an opportunity to reflect on the experience with the therapist, aiding in integrating the insights into daily life. | Multiple sessions over several 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 therapy under the supervision of a professional guide or therapist for a more beneficial experience.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic techniques, and knowledge in handling mental health disorders.
- Be open about your genuine motives for seeking treatment, any mental health concerns, medical history, and your family’s mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your particular mental health condition and reach out to organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Disclose your full medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to undertake psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and confirm their willingness to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the need to start For those new to psilocybin therapy, it’s advisable to start with smaller doses to ensure safety under the guidance of your psilocybin therapist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is suitable for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or coping with a terminal illness, you might consider psilocybin therapy.
However, if you or your family have a history of conditions like schizophrenia or psychosis, psilocybin, a hallucinogenic substance, could potentially worsen your symptoms. It’s generally not recommended for individuals with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder.
What’s the usual dosage for psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage often varies, typically starting with lower doses in a therapeutic context and adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, paired with psychological support, can reduce depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be utilized in treating PTSD?
Research in this area is rapidly progressing. Presently, studies on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant attributes used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are more developed. Trials on this psychedelic have advanced to phase 3 clinical trials, and it’s expected that MDMA may be authorized for PTSD treatment within the year.
