People struggling with terminal diseases frequently experience intense emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential dilemmas, and a loss of purpose, which further complicates their situation.
Although existing interventions such as counselling and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can prove helpful, they don’t always suit everyone. This has sparked investigations into alternative and innovative strategies for end-of-life care.
There’s growing evidence that psychedelic therapy might be a viable way to address existential suffering in patients with fatal illnesses. According to a review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry, psychedelics can help relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve quality of life, and reduce fears related to mortality in patients facing life-threatening conditions.
Canadians, in their quest to further understand the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, routinely buy shrooms online for research purposes.
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Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterize psychedelics from shrooms as powerful substances that can alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin pathways.
Let’s examine what various studies have uncovered:
| Researchers | Findings |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin affect serotonin 2A receptors, which regulate emotions and perception. |
| Mental Health News Study | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound found in over 200 species of fungi, might reconfigure the brains of depression sufferers, potentially paving the way to a cure. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin bolsters connections between different brain areas in individuals with depression, potentially aiding them in overcoming excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly lowered depression, anxiety, and fear of death, while boosting quality of life, sense of life’s purpose, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported decreased anxiety and subsequent reduction in existential distress. The research further found a correlation between the therapeutic effects and the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
The Clinical Study
The UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences’ researchers conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants. These participants also underwent fMRI brain scans.
The Procedure
- First Study: All participants had treatment-resistant depression and were given psilocybin.
- Second Study: The participants with less severe depression were not informed if they received psilocybin or an escitalopram placebo. All participants also received the same psychotherapy.
Scans were taken before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Key Findings
- Psilocybin treatment decreased connections within brain regions linked to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. At the same time, it increased connections to less integrated areas of the brain.
- It reduced the effects of emotional avoidance and significantly improved cognitive functioning.
The influence of psilocybin on brain rewiring continued for up to three weeks following the second dosage. Therefore, psilocybin offers a potential alternative treatment for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought patterns associated with the disorder. This discovery shows that psilocybin operates differently than traditional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy refers to the controlled usage of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, often accompanied by psychological support. This approach is increasingly being recognized for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in terminal illness patients.
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 results published in Palliative Medicine, almost 4
One in every five Canadians supports the use of psilocybin to mitigate existential distress towards the end of life.
The leading researcher, Michel Dorval, noticed that research has proven psilocybin, when used alongside psychotherapy, can provide rapid, substantial, and long-lasting relief for individuals facing advanced stages of cancer. It’s worth noting that psilocybin therapy can induce a deep comprehension and relief that can persist for up to six months.
Additionally, the survey indicates that those with exposure to palliative care or prior psilocybin use exhibited more support. Dorval emphasized that personal encounters with end-of-life distress may contribute to this receptivity towards innovative approaches.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study signifies a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly within palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The authors expect that these insights will improve the accessibility of this emerging therapy.
Additional Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
A double-blind, randomized trial with 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, demonstrated that the integration of psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer days of heavy drinking over roughly eight months compared to a control group undergoing placebo therapy. Those who received psilocybin also drank less alcohol on the days they did imbibe.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking is infamously difficult, yet a small 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 conjunction with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), allowed 10 out of 15 participants to maintain their smoke-free status for a year. A subsequent study implied that the psychedelic experience could potentially reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Anorexia Treatment
New research indicates that psilocybin might be advantageous 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 participated in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating Anxiety at the End of
Individuals diagnosed with terminal conditions often grapple with feelings of depression and anxiety. Encouragingly, studies suggest that psilocybin therapy may alleviate these negative emotions. Specifically, research indicates that patients with terminal cancer diagnoses who underwent psilocybin therapy witnessed significant reductions in their anxiety and depression levels.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy has an impressive potential to bring about swift and profound healing, potentially offering enduring benefits. Each session is customized to suit individual needs and strictly adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | The initial sessions revolve around discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, with the intention to establish a secure environment and solid rapport. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant consumes a dose of psilocybin in a comfortable setting, lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a selected playlist, and accompanied by a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Follow-up sessions provide an opportunity to dissect the experience with the therapist, thereby aiding in the integration of the insights into daily life. | Multiple sessions spread over hours |
Tips for Pursuing Psilocybin Therapy
- Explore 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 more beneficial experience.
- Screen potential therapists by inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic methods, and proficiency in dealing with mental health conditions.
- Be candid about your actual motives for seeking treatment, mental health issues, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your particular mental health condition and seek advice and training from organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA).
- Provide a detailed account of your medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your choice to undertake psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and see if they are open to collaborating with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the need to start Opt for lower dosages to ensure safety while under the guidance of your psilocybin therapist, particularly if you’re new to psilocybin therapy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re grappling with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or dealing with a terminal disease, psilocybin therapy might be a suitable option for you.
However, if you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or if these conditions run in your family, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin could potentially exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, conditions like bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder typically are advised against such treatment.
What is the standard dosage for psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage usually varies, often starting with lower doses in a therapeutic context and adjusting according to individual responses. Clinical studies have shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, administered with psychological support, can result in reduced depression scores in patients resistant to traditional treatments.
Can psilocybin be utilized to treat PTSD?
This is a rapidly developing area of research. However, the use of MDMA, an unconventional psychedelic with stimulant properties, in conjunction with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment has shown more progress. MDMA has reached phase 3 clinical trials for this application, and it is expected that it may be approved for PTSD treatment within the year.
