People grappling with terminal illnesses frequently endure significant emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential crises, and a loss of purpose, which compounds the difficulty of their situation.
Although existing methods such as counselling and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can be helpful, they don’t always provide relief for everyone. This has prompted investigators to seek innovative, alternate strategies for end-of-life care.
Mounting evidence suggests that psychedelic therapy could potentially alleviate existential distress in patients with incurable diseases. According to a review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry, psychedelics may reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve quality of life, and lessen fears related to death in patients with life-threatening illnesses.
To delve deeper into the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, Canadians often buy shrooms online for research purposes.
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The Impact of Psilocybin on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterizes psychedelics from shrooms as powerful substances that alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s delve into the findings of various studies:
| Researchers | 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 species of fungi, could potentially restructure the brains of individuals with depression, possibly leading to a treatment. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between various regions of the brain in individuals with depression, potentially helping them move past excessive self-reflection and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly decreased depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while improving quality of life, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported reduced anxiety |
| Psilocybin therapy reduces anxiety and depression, contributing to alleviated existential distress. The research also noted that these therapeutic effects were related to the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
Research Study
To validate this, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Study. All participants were battling treatment-resistant depression and received psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants with less intense depression were unaware if they were given psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also participated in the same psychotherapy.
Scans were performed before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connections within brain networks associated with depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also enhanced connections to less integrated brain areas.
- It mitigated emotional avoidance effects and brought significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The influence of psilocybin on brain rewiring continued up to three weeks following the second dose. Therefore, psilocybin offers a potential alternative solution for depression by reorganizing the brain and reducing persistent negative thoughts associated with the condition. This outcome suggests that psilocybin operates differently than conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually combined with psychological assistance. This approach is garnering recognition for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients dealing with terminal diseases.
A recent survey by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR sought to assess public opinion on the medical usage of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the study published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4 One in every five Canadians supports the application of psilocybin as a remedy for existential distress during the end of life.
Michel Dorval, the lead researcher, noted that studies show psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy, can provide quick, substantial, and prolonged comfort for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. It’s worth noting that therapy with psilocybin can induce a deep sense of comprehension and relief that could extend up to six months.
The survey further indicates that those with a background in palliative care or prior psilocybin use demonstrated more support. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress may contribute to this receptiveness towards novel approaches.
Despite prevalent prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study reveals a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care settings. The authors predict that these results 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 people, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, found that the combination of psilocybin and psychotherapy significantly reduced the number of heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a control group undergoing placebo therapy. Furthermore, the group that underwent psilocybin therapy 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 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 remain smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study posited that the psychedelic experience could potentially reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
Emerging studies suggest that psilocybin could be beneficial for individuals struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant decreases in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety among adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
End of Life
Many individuals diagnosed with terminal diseases often suffer from anxiety and depression. There are promising signs that therapy using psilocybin can help reduce these symptoms. Studies have recorded substantial decreases in depression and anxiety among patients who have life-threatening cancer diagnoses and have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy possesses the capability to yield significant healing results promptly, potentially providing enduring benefits. Each therapy session is customized to cater to individual requirements and aligns with specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Preparation | Primary sessions focus on discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, with the objective of forming a solid relationship in a secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| Administration | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed environment, lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and under the supervision of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Integration | Post-therapy sessions offer a space to reflect on the experience with the therapist, thereby assisting in integrating the insights into daily life. | Several sessions over hours |
Recommendations for Undertaking 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 a professional guide for a more therapeutic experience.
- Interview prospective therapists, inquiring about their credentials, experience, therapeutic techniques, and expertise in mental health disorders.
- Be open about your genuine reasons for pursuing treatment, mental health conditions, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your specific mental health condition and consult with organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for recommendations and training.
- Thoroughly disclose your medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to undergo psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and check if they are amenable to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Talk about the dosage, protocol, and the necessity to initiate with lower dosages to ensure safety under the guidance of your psilocybin therapist, particularly if you are new to psilocybin therapy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a suitable candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or confronting a terminal disease, you might want to consider psilocybin therapy.
However, if you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or if these conditions are common in your family, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin could exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally discouraged.
What is the standard dosage of psilocybin for therapy?
The dosage usually varies, starting with lower doses in a therapeutic context and adjusted based on individual responses. Clinical studies have shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, combined with psychological support, resulted in reduced depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be used to treat PTSD?
This is a quickly advancing area of study. However, research on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is further along. Trials on this psychedelic have advanced to phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
