People living with terminal illnesses frequently grapple with profound emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential fear, and a loss of meaning in life, which can make their circumstances even more challenging.
While traditional treatments such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can help, they may not be effective for all. This has prompted researchers to seek out novel, pioneering methods for end-of-life care.
There’s a growing body of evidence that suggests psychedelic therapy may hold promise for addressing existential unease in patients with incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry proposes that psychedelics may alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms, enhance quality of life, and lessen death-related fears in patients with life-threatening conditions.
To further examine the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, Canadians frequently buy shrooms online for investigation.
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How Psilocybin Affects the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterizes psychedelics derived from mushrooms as powerful substances that can alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by engaging with the brain’s serotonin pathways.
Let’s examine what various studies suggest:
| Researchers | Discoveries |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin interact with serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A report from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound found in more than 200 species of fungi, could reconfigure the brains of individuals with depression, possibly leading to a remedy. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin bolsters connections between different brain regions in depressed persons, potentially enabling them to move past excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind study by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly decreased depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while improving quality of life, sense of life’s purpose, and optimism. |
| Clinical study from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported a decrease in anxiety. |
| Psilocybin therapy has been noted to have a significant effect on anxiety and depression, which in turn results in an improvement in existential distress. Additionally, the therapeutic benefits were found to be connected to the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
The Clinical Research
In order to validate these findings, researchers from UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences carried out two studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- The First Study: All participants in this study were battling treatment-resistant depression and were given psilocybin.
- The Second Study: In this study, participants with less severe depression were not informed if they received psilocybin or a placebo antidepressant (escitalopram). All participants also received the same psychotherapy.
Scans were performed both before and after treatment to measure the effects.
Results
- Treatment with psilocybin reduced the connections within the brain areas associated with depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also enhanced connections to less integrated brain regions.
- The treatment also lowered emotional avoidance effects and led to significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The effect of psilocybin on brain rewiring was found to last for up to three weeks following the second dose. Thus, psilocybin provides a potential alternative treatment for depression by reconfiguring the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought processes associated with the condition. This discovery suggests that psilocybin works differently from conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled use of psilocybin within a therapeutic setting, usually combined with psychological support. This approach is increasingly being recognized for its potential to treat resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients suffering from terminal illnesses.
Researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR recently conducted a poll to gauge public opinion on the medicinal use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the survey, published in Palliative Medicine, almost 4 One in every five Canadians supports the use of psilocybin to mitigate existential distress at the end of life.
Lead investigator Michel Dorval notes that research has shown psilocybin, combined with psychotherapy, can provide immediate, substantial, and long-lasting relief for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. It’s important to note that psilocybin therapy can trigger a deep sense of comprehension and comfort that can persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates increased support among those with experience in palliative care or previous usage of psilocybin. Dorval suggests that personal encounters with end-of-life distress may influence this willingness to explore innovative approaches.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study shows a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care settings. The authors predict that these results will enhance the availability of this groundbreaking treatment.
Further Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized trial involving 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was found that the combination of psilocybin and psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer instances of heavy drinking over an approximate eight month period compared to a control group that received placebo therapy. The group that was given psilocybin also consumed less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Assistance in Smoking Cessation
Although quitting smoking is notoriously difficult, a small pilot study conducted 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 maintain a smoke-free lifestyle for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience could potentially reshape a smoker’s self-perception, thus supporting long-term abstinence.
3. Intervention for Anorexia
New research indicates that psilocybin may be beneficial for people 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
LifeA significant number of patients diagnosed with terminal illnesses often grapple with anxiety and depression. However, there’s compelling evidence indicating that psilocybin therapy may help to mitigate these symptoms. Studies have demonstrated substantial reductions in depression and anxiety among patients diagnosed with life-threatening cancer who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy holds the potential to deliver potent healing results swiftly, possibly leading to enduring benefits. Each therapy session is customized to cater to individual needs and adheres to specific clinic or trial guidelines.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Prior | Initial sessions revolve around addressing any fears and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to establish a strong bond and a safe environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a soothing setting, lying down, donning an eye mask, enjoying a chosen playlist, and accompanied by a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Subsequent | Follow-up sessions offer a platform to decode the experience with the therapist, thereby aiding in applying the insights to daily life. | Several sessions spanning hours |
Guidelines for Navigating Psilocybin Therapy
- Investigate 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 an enhanced therapeutic experience.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their credentials, experience, therapeutic approaches, and proficiency in mental health conditions.
- Be candid about your genuine motivations for seeking treatment, mental health issues, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Contemplate therapists who specialize in your specific mental health condition and engage organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Provide a detailed account of your medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your intention to undergo psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and inquire if they are prepared to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the need to start
For your safety, especially if you’re new to psilocybin therapy, we recommend starting with lower doses under the guidance of a psilocybin therapist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re coping with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, attempting to quit smoking, or dealing with a terminal illness, psilocybin therapy may be worth considering.
However, if you or your family have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, the use of hallucinogens like psilocybin may exacerbate your symptoms. Similarly, it is generally not recommended for individuals with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder.
What is the standard dosage of psilocybin for therapy?
The dosage often varies, typically starting with lower doses in a therapeutic context and adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical research indicates that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, administered with psychological support, led to a decrease in depression scores in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be used for treating PTSD?
This is a rapidly advancing research area. However, studies on MDMA, an unconventional psychedelic with stimulant properties used in psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are more developed. These MDMA trials are in phase 3 clinical studies, and it is expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
