Those grappling with terminal illnesses frequently encounter profound emotional upheaval, including depression, anxiety, existential crisis, and a loss of purpose, which makes their plight even more challenging.
Current treatments such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can offer some relief, but they might not be effective for everyone. This has prompted researchers to investigate novel and alternative strategies for end-of-life care.
There’s a growing body of evidence suggesting that psychedelic therapy could be a potential remedy for existential distress in patients with incurable illnesses. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics may lessen symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve life quality, and lessen fear associated with death in patients facing life-threatening conditions.
To further scrutinize the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, Canadians frequently buy shrooms online for research purposes.
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How Psilocybin Influences the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterizes psychedelics from shrooms as powerful substances that can alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by engaging with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s delve into what various studies have found:
| 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 study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound present in over 200 species of fungi, could restructure the brains of depression sufferers, possibly leading to a potential cure. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between various brain regions in individuals with depression, potentially assisting them in overcoming 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 boosting life quality, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported a decrease in anxiety and depression following psilocybin therapy, leading to enhancements in existential distress management. The study also noticed that the therapeutic impacts were attributed to the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
Clinical Research
In order to validate this, the researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Study. The participants, all of whom suffered from treatment-resistant depression, received a dose of psilocybin.
- Second Study. The participants, who had less severe depression, were kept uninformed about whether they were given psilocybin or a placebo antidepressant (escitalopram). All participants also received the same psychotherapy.
Scans were performed before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Outcomes
- The psilocybin treatment reduced connections within brain areas linked with depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also bolstered connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It mitigated emotional suppression effects and brought about significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The influence of psilocybin on brain rewiring endured for up to three weeks following the second dose. Therefore, psilocybin presents a potential alternative treatment for depression by reorganizing the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought patterns associated with the condition. This outcome suggests that psilocybin operates differently from conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled administration of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually complemented by psychological support. This approach is gaining recognition for its potential to address treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in 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 was designed to gauge public opinion on the medicinal use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the survey published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4 One in every five Canadians supports the use of psilocybin to ease the existential distress associated with end-of-life.
Lead researcher Michel Dorval noted that research has shown psilocybin, when used in tandem with psychotherapy, can rapidly and significantly provide long-lasting relief for those grappling with advanced cancer. It’s worth highlighting that psilocybin therapy can trigger a deep sense of comprehension and consolation that can persist for as long as six months.
Moreover, the survey intimates that those with exposure to palliative care or prior psilocybin use exhibited greater backing. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress could contribute to this receptivity to unconventional approaches.
Despite the prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study suggests a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The authors expect that these insights will promote easier access to this innovative treatment.
Further Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
A double-blind, randomized trial involving 93 individuals, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, indicated that pairing psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in a significant reduction in the number of heavy drinking days over an approximately eight-month period compared to a control group undergoing placebo therapy. The group that received psilocybin also drank less alcohol on the days they did imbibe.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking is infamously tough, but 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, combined with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), helped 10 out of 15 participants maintain a smoke-free lifestyle for a year. A subsequent study proposed that the psychedelic experience could potentially transform a smoker’s self-identity, thereby encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
Emerging studies indicate that psilocybin might be helpful for people dealing with anorexia. A preliminary study, published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022, documented significant decreases in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviation of End-of-Life Anxiety
Existence
It’s common for individuals diagnosed with terminal illnesses to battle with anxiety and depression. Encouragingly, there’s compelling evidence that psilocybin therapy could be a viable solution to alleviate these distressing symptoms. Studies have reported significant improvements in terms of reduced depression and anxiety levels among patients with life-threatening cancer diagnoses who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What Should You Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy offers the potential for profound healing results in a short period, which may yield enduring benefits. Our therapy sessions are customized to meet individual needs and strictly adhere to either specific clinic guidelines or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Prior | Initial sessions aim to establish a strong rapport and a safe environment, focusing on addressing any concerns and treatment goals with a facilitator. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a serene environment, lying down with an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and under the supervision of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Subsequent | Follow-up sessions offer an opportunity to discuss the experience with the therapist, aiding in the integration of gained insights into daily life. | Several sessions across hours |
Advice 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 more beneficial experience.
- Interrogate prospective therapists about their credentials, experience, therapeutic approaches, and proficiency in treating mental health disorders.
- Be truthful about your actual motives for seeking therapy, existing mental health issues, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your particular mental health condition. Consult with organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Fully disclose your medical and mental health history, especially if you have a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to pursue psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and inquire if they would be willing to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the need to commence
- It’s advisable to start with lower doses for safety when engaging in psilocybin therapy, particularly if you’re a beginner.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who could benefit from psilocybin therapy?
If you’re dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol dependency, trying to quit smoking, or coping with a terminal illness, you might want to think about psilocybin therapy.
Conversely, if you have a history or family predisposition to schizophrenia or psychosis, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin might aggravate your symptoms. Likewise, it is generally not recommended for people with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder.
What is the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage often differs, typically starting with lower doses in a therapeutic context and tweaking as per individual responses. Clinical research has revealed that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, paired with psychological support, led to a reduction in depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Is psilocybin effective in treating PTSD?
This is a rapidly developing research area. However, studies on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used in psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are more advanced. Trials involving this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it’s expected that MDMA might get approval for PTSD treatment this year.
