People grappling with terminal diseases often struggle with significant emotional distress, such as depression, anxiety, existential crisis, and a sense of lost purpose, which further complicates their already challenging circumstances.
Though traditional treatments like counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can provide relief, their effectiveness varies from person to person. This has prompted researchers to seek innovative, alternative methods for end-of-life care.
Emerging research suggests that psychedelic therapy may offer a promising solution in treating existential distress in patients suffering from incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics may help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and alleviate fears related to death among patients battling life-threatening conditions.
In order to further investigate the potential of psilocybin mushrooms, many Canadians buy shrooms online for research purposes.
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Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health portrays psychedelics derived from mushrooms as potent compounds that can alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin pathways.
Let’s delve into what various studies have discovered:
| Researchers | Conclusions |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin interact with serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| Study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound present in over 200 fungi species, could potentially rewire the brains of those dealing with depression, potentially leading to a cure. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between different brain areas in individuals with depression, possibly aiding them in overcoming excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly decreased 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 after undergoing psilocybin therapy, which resulted in a reduction in existential distress. Furthermore, the study found that these therapeutic effects were linked to the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
Investigative Study
Researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans to support this.
Methodology
- First Study. The participants, all of whom suffered from treatment-resistant depression, were given psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants with less severe depression were not informed if they had been given psilocybin or a placebo antidepressant (escitalopram). All participants also underwent identical psychotherapy.
Scans were taken before and after treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connections within brain areas related to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also bolstered connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It minimized emotional avoidance effects and resulted in significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The effects of psilocybin on brain rewiring were maintained for up to three weeks following the second dosage. Therefore, psilocybin potentially offers an alternative treatment for depression by restructuring the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought processes associated with the disorder. This result suggests that psilocybin operates differently from conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually in combination with psychological support. This approach is increasingly being recognized for its potential to treat 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 sought to gauge public opinion on the medicinal use of psilocybin in end-of-life care. According to the poll published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4
One in every five Canadians supports the use of psilocybin to alleviate existential distress at the end of life.
Lead researcher Michel Dorval noted that research indicates psilocybin, when used along with psychotherapy, provides quick, robust, and prolonged relief for people grappling with advanced cancer. It’s important to highlight that psilocybin therapy can stimulate a deep sense of comprehension and relief, which can persist for up to six months.
Additionally, the survey reveals greater support among those with a background in palliative care or previous psilocybin use. Dorval suggested that personal experiences with end-of-life distress could be a contributing factor to this openness towards innovative treatments.
Despite pre-existing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, research shows a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly within the context of palliative and end-of-life care. The study authors predict that these findings will improve the availability of this groundbreaking treatment.
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, indicated that combining psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer days of heavy drinking over approximately eight months compared to a control group undergoing placebo therapy. The group receiving psilocybin also drank less alcohol on the days they did imbibe.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Although quitting smoking is famously difficult, a small-scale 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 conjunction with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), helped 10 out of 15 participants to stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study implied that the psychedelic experience could potentially reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Anorexia Treatment
New research indicates that psilocybin might prove beneficial for those struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant symptom reductions in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
Living with Terminal Illness
Many individuals living with terminal diseases often grapple with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Promisingly, evidence suggests that psilocybin therapy can effectively alleviate these symptoms. Research indicates significant reduction in anxiety and depression among patients battling life-threatening cancer after undergoing psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy holds the promise of delivering profound healing effects rapidly, potentially yielding long-term benefits. Each therapy session is customized to cater to individual needs and strictly adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before Therapy | Initial sessions primarily revolve around discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator in order to foster a strong rapport and a secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During Therapy | The participant is given a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting. They are made to lie down, wear an eye mask, listen to a preselected playlist, all while being accompanied by a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After Therapy | Follow-up sessions offer an opportunity to reflect on the experience with the therapist and aid in assimilating the insights gained into everyday life. | Several sessions, each lasting a few hours |
Guidelines for Pursuing Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legal and, if necessary, consider joining a waiting list.
- Choose a clinic that administers psilocybin treatment under the supervision of a therapist or a professional guide for a more therapeutic experience.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapy approaches, and their expertise in addressing mental health conditions.
- Be honest about your real motives for seeking treatment, mental health challenges, medical history, and family history of mental health disorders.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your specific mental health condition and seek advice 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.
- Communicate your decision to undertake psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and check if they are open to collaborating with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the necessity to start with your psilocybin therapist, especially if you’re a beginner to psilocybin therapy, you should start with lower doses for safety.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you are wrestling with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or dealing with a terminal illness, psilocybin therapy might be a consideration.
However, if you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or these conditions run in your family, hallucinogens like psilocybin could potentially exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, those with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder are generally advised against it.
What is the standard dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage often fluctuates, usually starting with smaller doses in a therapeutic environment and adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, accompanied by psychological support, led to a reduction in depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be utilized to treat PTSD?
This is an area of study that is quickly progressing. However, research into MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant characteristics used in combination with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is more developed. Trials on this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
