People battling terminal diseases frequently grapple with intense emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential crises, and a feeling of lost purpose, which further complicates their circumstances.
Despite the potential benefits of conventional treatments such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), they might not be effective for everyone. This shortcoming has motivated researchers to examine novel, alternative methods in end-of-life care.
There is growing evidence that psychedelic therapy could offer a potential remedy for existential suffering in patients with incurable illnesses. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry suggests that psychedelics may help alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and alleviate fears associated with death in patients with life-threatening conditions.
To delve deeper into 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 characterise psychedelics derived from shrooms as powerful substances that can 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 | Observations |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics like psilocybin affect 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, may 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 to overcome 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 quality of life, sense of life’s purpose, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported reduced anxiety and depression following psilocybin therapy, leading to improvements in existential distress. The study also pointed out that the therapeutic effects were associated with the psychedelic experience generated by psilocybin. |
Clinical Research
In order 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 facing treatment-resistant depression and were given psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants with less severe depression were unaware if they had received psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also underwent the same psychotherapy.
Scans were conducted before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Outcomes
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connections within brain areas associated with depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also amplified connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It mitigated emotional avoidance effects and led to significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The influence of psilocybin on brain rewiring continued for up to three weeks after the second dosage. Thus, psilocybin offers a potential alternative solution for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing deep-rooted negative thought processes related to the disorder. This discovery suggests that psilocybin works differently than traditional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Potential Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled application of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually paired with psychological support. This approach is gaining recognition for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal diseases.
A recent survey conducted by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, 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 poll published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4
One in every five Canadians supports the use of psilocybin to mitigate existential distress at the end of life.
Lead researcher Michel Dorval noted that research indicates that psilocybin, when used in combination with psychotherapy, can provide swift and lasting relief for individuals grappling with terminal cancer. It’s worth highlighting that psilocybin therapy can trigger intense feelings of comprehension and relief that can persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that those who have experienced palliative care or used psilocybin before are more supportive. Dorval suggested that personal experiences with end-of-life distress might contribute to this openness to alternative 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 that these findings will increase the availability of this innovative therapy.
Additional Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treating Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized trial of 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was revealed that psilocybin combined with psychotherapy substantially decreased heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a placebo group. The psilocybin group also consumed less alcohol on the days they did imbibe.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Although quitting smoking is notoriously difficult, a small pilot study by Johns Hopkins University researchers, 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 might help reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Potential Treatment for Anorexia
Emerging studies suggest that psilocybin may be beneficial for people with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported 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
Many individuals living with terminal diseases often grapple with feelings of anxiety and depression. Psilocybin therapy is showing considerable promise in relieving these distressing symptoms. Studies have found notable reductions in depression and anxiety among patients diagnosed with life-threatening cancer who have participated in psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy holds the potential to deliver potent healing outcomes swiftly, possibly providing enduring benefits. Each session is custom-designed to cater to individual requirements and strictly adheres to specific guidelines set by the clinic or trial.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Prior | The initial sessions are aimed at discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, fostering a robust relationship and a safe environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant consumes a dose of psilocybin in a comfortable environment, lying down with an eye mask, listening to 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. | Several sessions over multiple hours |
Guidelines for Undergoing Psilocybin Therapy
- Investigate clinics where psilocybin is legal and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Select a clinic that offers psilocybin treatment supervised by a therapist or a professional guide for a more therapeutic experience.
- Screen potential therapists by inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic approaches, and proficiency in treating mental health conditions.
- Be open about your genuine reasons for seeking treatment, mental health status, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your specific mental health condition and seek advice and training from organizations such as the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA).
- Give a full account of your medical and mental health history, particularly if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to engage in psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and confirm if they are willing to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the need to start
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol dependence, smoking cessation challenges, or facing a terminal illness, you might want to consider psilocybin therapy.
However, if you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or a family history of these conditions, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin could potentially exacerbate your symptoms. Similarly, those diagnosed with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally advised not to use these substances.
What is the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage typically varies, often starting with lower doses in a therapeutic context and adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical studies have shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, combined 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 developing area of research. However, studies on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are more advanced. Phase 3 clinical trials are currently underway for this psychedelic, and it’s expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment within this year.
