People grappling with terminal diseases commonly experience substantial emotional distress, such as depression, anxiety, existential crisis, and a sense of purposelessness, which further complicates their circumstances.
Traditional treatments like counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can help, but they aren’t effective for everyone. This reality has spurred researchers to investigate alternative, forward-thinking methods for end-of-life care.
Emerging research suggests that psychedelic therapy may be a promising method to address existential distress in patients with incurable illnesses. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics can ease depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and reduce death-related fears in patients with life-threatening conditions.
To further investigate the potential of psilocybin mushrooms, Canadians often buy shrooms online for research purposes.
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How Psilocybin Affects the Brain
The National Institutes of Health describes psychedelics derived from shrooms as powerful substances that can alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with serotonin circuits in the brain.
Let’s delve into what various studies have discovered:
| Researchers | Findings | |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics like psilocybin affect serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. | |
| A study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a hallucinogenic compound naturally found in over 200 fungi species, may restructure the brains of individuals with depression, potentially resulting in a cure. | |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between different brain regions in depressed individuals, which could help them break free from excessive self-focus and rumination. | |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly reduced 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 |
Investigative Study
In a bid to validate these findings, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 distinct studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI scans of their brains.
Methodology
- Study One. Every participant was dealing with treatment-resistant depression and was given psilocybin.
- Study Two. Participants with milder depression were unaware if they received the psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also went through identical psychotherapy sessions.
Brain scans were performed before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- The psilocybin treatment reduced connections within brain areas related to depression, such as the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also reinforced links to less connected brain regions.
- It led to a decline in emotional avoidance behaviors and significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
Psilocybin’s effect on brain reorganization persisted for up to three weeks post the second dosage. Consequently, psilocybin offers a potential alternative treatment for depression by altering brain patterns and reducing entrenched negative thought cycles associated with the disease. This evidence suggests that psilocybin operates differently from traditional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Therapeutic Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled administration of psilocybin in a supportive therapeutic setting. This approach is receiving increasing recognition for its potential to address treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal illnesses.
A recent survey conducted by a team 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 survey published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4 One in five Canadians support the use of psilocybin to relieve existential distress at the end of life.
Michel Dorval, the lead researcher, noted that studies suggest that psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy, can quickly provide substantial and long-lasting relief for people suffering from advanced cancer. It is important to note that psilocybin-assisted therapy can trigger a deep sense of understanding and solace that may endure for up to six months.
Additionally, the survey indicates that those with experience in palliative care or previous use of psilocybin were more supportive. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress could contribute to this receptivity towards innovative treatments.
Despite pre-existing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the research suggests a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The researchers expect that these findings will improve the accessibility of this groundbreaking 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 instances of heavy drinking over approximately eight months compared to a control group receiving placebo therapy. The group administered psilocybin also 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 researchers, 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 stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience might assist in reshaping a smoker’s self-perception, promoting long-term abstinence.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
Emerging research suggests that psilocybin may be helpful for those struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported notable decreases in eating disorder symptoms and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviation of End-of-Life Anxiety
End of Life
Many people coping with terminal illnesses often grapple with anxiety and depression. However, there’s an encouraging body of evidence that indicates psilocybin therapy could help lessen these feelings. Studies have demonstrated substantial decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer who have received psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy offers powerful healing effects promptly, with the potential for lasting benefits. Each session is customized to meet individual needs and adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | Initial sessions are dedicated to discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to establish a robust relationship and a secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant takes a dose of psilocybin in a relaxing atmosphere, lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and guided by a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Follow-up sessions serve as an opportunity to reflect on the experience with the therapist, assisting in integrating the insights into daily life. | Several sessions spanning hours |
Guidelines for Navigating Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legal and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Choose a clinic that offers 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, therapeutic approaches, and expertise in mental health disorders.
- Be honest about your real motivations for seeking treatment, mental health issues, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your particular mental health condition and consult organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Provide a thorough disclosure of 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 inquire if they are open to collaborating with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the necessity to initiate For safety purposes, we suggest starting with lower doses under the supervision of a psilocybin therapist, particularly if you are new to psilocybin therapy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes a suitable candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re grappling with depression, anorexia, alcohol dependence, trying to stop smoking, or dealing with a terminal illness, psilocybin therapy may be worth considering.
However, if your medical history includes schizophrenia or psychosis, or if these conditions run in your family, hallucinogens like psilocybin could potentially exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, it’s generally recommended that individuals with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder avoid this therapy.
What’s the standard dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage often varies, typically starting with lower doses in a therapeutic setting and adjusted based on individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, administered with psychological support, resulted in a reduction in depression scores for those with treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be used for PTSD treatment?
This is a rapidly advancing area of study. However, research on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used in conjunction with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is more progressed. Studies on this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may receive approval for PTSD treatment this year.
