Living with terminal illnesses is often accompanied by overwhelming emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential crisis, and a sense of lost purpose, which makes the situation even harder to deal with.
Common treatments such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can provide relief, but they are not universally effective. This has prompted researchers to look into alternative, pioneering methods of end-of-life care.
There is a growing body of research suggesting that psychedelic therapy could be a viable solution for existential distress in patients with incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics can help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, improve life quality, and lessen fear associated with death in patients suffering from life-threatening conditions.
To delve deeper into the potential 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 characterizes 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 examine what various studies reveal:
| Research Group | Discoveries |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics like psilocybin interact with serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A study by Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound found in more than 200 species of fungi, may alter the brain pathways in those suffering from depression, possibly leading to a solution. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between various brain regions in depressed individuals, potentially helping them to overcome excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial conducted by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and fear of death, while improving life quality, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial conducted by New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported reduced anxiety. After undergoing psilocybin therapy, significant reductions in anxiety and depression were observed, leading to alleviation of existential distress. The study further noted that these therapeutic effects were associated with the psychedelic experience brought on by psilocybin. |
Investigation of Clinical Effects
In order to validate these findings, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted two studies involving 60 volunteers who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Study Approach
- First Experiment. Participants, all of whom were suffering from treatment-resistant depression, were given psilocybin.
- Second Experiment. Participants with less severe depression were kept uninformed about whether they were receiving psilocybin or a placebo antidepressant (escitalopram). All participants received the same psychotherapy.
Scans were acquired before and after treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connectivity within brain areas linked to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks, but enhanced connections to less integrated brain regions.
- The treatment mitigated the effects of emotional avoidance and significantly improved cognitive function.
Psilocybin’s effect on brain reorganization persisted for up to three weeks following the second dose. Therefore, psilocybin offers a potential alternative treatment for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing negative thought patterns associated with the disorder. This finding suggests that psilocybin operates differently than conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Option
Psilocybin therapy involves the regulated administration of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, typically combined with psychological support. This approach is gaining recognition for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress among patients with terminal illnesses.
A recent survey carried out 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 study 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 has shown that psilocybin, when used in combination with psychotherapy, can offer quick, strong and long-lasting relief for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. It is significant to highlight that psilocybin-assisted therapy can elicit a deep sense of insight and relief that can persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that individuals with experience in palliative care or prior use of psilocybin were more supportive. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with existential distress at the end of life might contribute to this openness to novel approaches.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study shows a rising acceptance of psilocybin-assisted therapy in Canada, particularly within the context of palliative and end-of-life care. The authors expect that these results will help increase the availability of this innovative treatment method.
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 the use of psilocybin with psychotherapy significantly reduced the number of heavy drinking days over roughly eight months compared to a control group given placebo therapy. The group treated with psilocybin also drank less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Assistance in Smoking Cessation
Although quitting smoking is infamously 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 could potentially reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby fostering long-term abstinence.
3. Intervention for Anorexia
Emerging studies hint at psilocybin’s potential benefits for individuals dealing with anorexia. A preliminary study from May 2022 in Biological Psychiatry highlighted significant reductions in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety in adults with anorexia following psilocybin-facilitated psychotherapy.
4. Alleviation of End-of-Life Anxiety
LifeMany individuals diagnosed with terminal illnesses often contend with depression and anxiety. However, emerging research suggests that psilocybin therapy could be a ray of hope in alleviating these symptoms. Studies have illustrated significant reductions in anxiety and depression in patients with terminal cancer after undergoing psilocybin therapy.
What Should You Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy has the potential to deliver powerful healing effects promptly, potentially providing enduring benefits. Each therapy session is customized to meet individual needs and adheres to specific clinic or trial guidelines.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Prior | The preliminary sessions are dedicated to discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator to establish a robust relationship and a secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant takes a dose of psilocybin in a comfortable environment, lies down, uses an eye mask, listens to a pre-chosen playlist, and is accompanied by a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Subsequent | The follow-up sessions serve as a platform to decode the experience with the therapist, thereby facilitating the integration of insights into daily life. | Several sessions spanning hours |
Best Practices 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 therapeutic experience.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic approaches, and proficiency in dealing with mental health disorders.
- Be forthcoming about your exact motives for seeking therapy, mental health status, medical records, and family mental health history.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your specific mental health condition and refer to organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Disclose your complete medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to opt for psilocybin therapy with your existing 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 When beginning psilocybin therapy, especially if you’re a beginner, it’s safer to start with lower doses under the guidance of your psilocybin therapist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a suitable candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re battling depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, smoking cessation, or confronting a terminal illness, psilocybin therapy might be a consideration.
However, if you or your family has a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, substances like psilocybin could potentially exacerbate your symptoms. Similarly, individuals with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are usually advised to avoid it.
What is the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage often varies, typically starting with lower doses in a clinical environment and adjusting based on personal responses. Clinical studies indicate that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, along with psychological support, led to reduced depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be utilized for treating PTSD?
This area of study is developing quickly. However, the research on MDMA, an unconventional psychedelic with stimulant properties used with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is further along. MDMA trials have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it’s expected that MDMA could be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
