Those grappling with terminal illnesses frequently experience significant emotional distress, incorporating feelings of depression, anxiety, existential dread, and loss of purpose, which exacerbates the difficulty of their situation.
Although existing interventions such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can be helpful, they may not be suitable or effective for everyone. Consequently, researchers have begun investigating alternative, groundbreaking methods of end-of-life care.
Growing research evidence suggests that psychedelic therapy could be a potential remedy for the existential distress experienced by patients with incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve quality of life, and alleviate fears associated with death in patients with life-threatening conditions.
In an effort to further investigate the efficacy 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 characterizes psychedelics derived from shrooms as powerful substances that can alter cognition. They impact mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s delve into what various studies reveal:
| Research Group | Discoveries |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics like psilocybin impact serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A report from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a natural hallucinogenic compound found in over 200 fungi species, might restructure the brains of individuals dealing with depression, potentially offering a cure. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connectivity between different brain areas in depressed individuals, which might assist them in overcoming excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind study by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin considerably reduced depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while improving life quality, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| Clinical study from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported a decrease in anxiety and depression following the application of psilocybin therapy, which resulted in a reduction of existential distress. The study further noted a correlation between these therapeutic effects and the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
Clinical Investigation
Researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 investigations involving 60 participants, who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- Initial Investigation. All participants were experiencing treatment-resistant depression and were given psilocybin.
- Follow-up Investigation. Participants with less severe depression were uncertain if they received psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also participated in the same psychotherapy session.
Scans were conducted before and after the treatment to assess the results.
Outcomes
- Psilocybin therapy resulted in weakened connections within brain areas linked with depression, such as the default mode, salience, and executive networks. Additionally, it reinforced connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It reduced effects of emotional avoidance, and brought about significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The effects of psilocybin on neural rewiring lasted for up to three weeks post the second dose. Therefore, psilocybin could potentially serve as an alternative treatment for depression by reconfiguring the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought patterns associated with the condition. This outcome suggests that psilocybin operates differently than conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Possible Treatment Strategy
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled administration of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, typically combined with psychological assistance. This approach is increasingly being recognized for its potential in treating treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal illnesses.
A recent survey, conducted by researchers from the Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR, aimed to gauge public opinion on the medicinal use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the survey published in Palliative Medicine, approximately 4
One out of every five Canadians supports the use of psilocybin to alleviate existential distress at the end of life.
Lead researcher Michel Dorval noted that studies have shown psilocybin, when used alongside psychotherapy, can provide quick, powerful, and lasting relief for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. It’s important to highlight that psilocybin-assisted therapy can instigate a deep sense of comprehension and solace that may persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that those who have experience in palliative care or have previously used psilocybin are more likely to show support. Dorval suggested that firsthand experiences with end-of-life distress might contribute to this receptiveness towards innovative approaches.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the research suggests a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in the context of palliative and end-of-life care. The authors foresee that these findings will improve the accessibility of this groundbreaking therapy.
Further Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder
A double-blind, randomized trial involving 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, demonstrated that pairing psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer instances of heavy drinking over approximately eight months compared to a placebo control group. The group treated with psilocybin also consumed less alcohol on the days they chose to drink.
2. Assistance in Smoking Cessation
While stopping 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 combination with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), helped 10 out of 15 participants to stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience might be instrumental in reshaping a smoker’s identity, thereby encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Treatment for Anorexia
Emerging research indicates that psilocybin may be useful for individuals battling anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant decreases in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-life Anxiety
It’s not uncommon for those diagnosed with terminal illnesses to struggle with feelings of anxiety and depression. Encouragingly, studies suggest that psilocybin therapy can help mitigate these symptoms. Significant reductions in depression and anxiety have been observed in patients with terminal cancer who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy holds the promise of delivering prompt and potent healing effects, potentially yielding long-lasting benefits. Each session is customized to cater to individual needs, in compliance with specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | Initial sessions are centered around discussing apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, with the objective of fostering a secure environment and robust relationship. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a serene setting, typically reclining, blindfolded, listening to a curated playlist, and under the guidance of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Post-therapy sessions offer an avenue to reflect on the experience with the therapist, facilitating the integration of gained insights into day-to-day life. | Several sessions spanning hours |
Tips for Navigating Psilocybin Therapy
- Explore clinics where psilocybin is legal and contemplate joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Choose a clinic that administers psilocybin therapy under the supervision of a therapist or a professional guide for an optimal therapeutic experience.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their credentials, experience, therapeutic approaches, and specialized knowledge in mental health disorders.
- Be candid about your actual motives for seeking therapy, mental health conditions, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your specific mental health disorder and consult bodies like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance 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 embark on psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and check their readiness to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the need to start
- It’s advisable to start with smaller doses for safety when first exploring psilocybin therapy with your therapist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is suitable for psilocybin therapy?
Those struggling with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, smoking cessation, or terminal illnesses might find psilocybin therapy beneficial.
However, if you have a family or personal history of schizophrenia or psychosis, you should be cautious as hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin could potentially exacerbate your symptoms. Similarly, people with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally advised to steer clear.
What is the usual dosage of psilocybin for therapy?
Therapeutic dosages of psilocybin can vary, generally starting with smaller amounts and adjusting according to individual responses. Clinical studies have shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, supported by psychological guidance, can lead to a reduction in depression scores in those with treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be utilized for treating PTSD?
Research in this area is quickly advancing. However, studies on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used in combination with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is more developed. Trials on this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it’s expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment within the year.
