Those grappling with terminal illnesses frequently encounter substantial emotional distress, such as depression, anxiety, existential dilemmas, and a loss of direction, which further complicates their circumstances.
Despite the availability of conventional treatments like counselling and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), they may not be effective for everyone. This has prompted researchers to investigate alternative, groundbreaking strategies for end-of-life care.
Emerging research suggests that psychedelic therapy could potentially alleviate existential distress in patients with incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics may relieve depression and anxiety symptoms, improve life quality, and assuage fears associated with death in patients facing life-threatening conditions.
In order to delve deeper into the efficiency of psilocybin mushrooms, Canadians frequently buy shrooms online for research purposes.
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Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterizes psychedelics from shrooms as powerful agents that alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s examine what various studies have disclosed:
| Research Entities | Discoveries |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin target serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A study reported by Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound present in over 200 fungi species, may remodel the brains of individuals struggling with depression, potentially paving the way for a cure. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connectivity between different brain regions in individuals with depression, potentially enabling them to surmount excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind study by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin effectively reduced depression, anxiety, and fear of death, while augmenting life quality, sense of life’s purpose, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported a decrease in anxiety and depression after undergoing psilocybin therapy, which also resulted in a reduction in existential distress. The study noted an association between the therapeutic effects and the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
Clinical Research
Researchers at the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants, all of whom underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Study. The study included participants who were experiencing treatment-resistant depression. Psilocybin was administered to them.
- Second Study. In this study, participants with less severe depression were not informed if they were given psilocybin or a placebo antidepressant (escitalopram). All participants also underwent the same psychotherapy.
Pre and post-treatment scans were performed to assess the effects.
Observations
- Psilocybin therapy reduced connections within brain areas linked with depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. Simultaneously, it enhanced connections to less integrated brain regions.
- The therapy decreased emotional avoidance effects and significantly improved cognitive functioning.
The effect of psilocybin on brain rewiring continued for up to three weeks after the second dosage. Thus, psilocybin offers a potential alternative solution for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing persistent negative thought patterns associated with the disease. This suggests that psilocybin operates differently than conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – An Emerging Treatment Method
Psilocybin therapy refers to the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually combined with psychological assistance. This approach is increasingly being recognized for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal diseases.
Recently, a survey was conducted by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR to gauge public opinion on the medical use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the survey published in Palliative Medicine, almost 4
One in five Canadians are in favor of using psilocybin to ease existential distress at the end of life.
Lead researcher Michel Dorval noted that research has shown psilocybin, when used alongside psychotherapy, can provide quick, strong, and lasting relief for those dealing with advanced cancer. It’s worth highlighting that psilocybin therapy can instill a deep sense of comprehension and relief that may persist for up to six months.
In addition, the survey indicates that individuals with exposure to palliative care or prior psilocybin use were more supportive. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress might contribute to this receptivity to unconventional approaches.
Despite existing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study reveals a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly within the realms of palliative and end-of-life care. The researchers expect that these results will enhance the availability of this groundbreaking treatment.
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 combining psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer days of heavy drinking over approximately eight months compared to a placebo group. The psilocybin group also drank less alcohol on the days they did consume alcohol.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking is infamously difficult, however, 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, coupled with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), helped 10 out of 15 subjects to abstain from smoking for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience could potentially reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby fostering long-term abstinence.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
New research suggests that psilocybin may be advantageous for individuals struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant decreases in eating disorder symptoms and anxiety in adults with anorexia who participated in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Easing End-of-Life Anxiety
Many individuals dealing with terminal illnesses often suffer from anxiety and depression. However, there’s compelling evidence suggesting that psilocybin therapy can help improve these symptoms. Notably, studies have demonstrated significant reductions in depression and anxiety among patients diagnosed with life-threatening cancer after undergoing psilocybin therapy.
What Can You Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy has the potential to offer significant and immediate healing effects, which can lead to long-lasting benefits. Each treatment session is customized to meet the patient’s individual needs and follows specific guidelines set by the clinic or trial.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | The initial sessions are dedicated to discussing any concerns and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to establish a strong rapport and a safe environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant takes a dose of psilocybin in a relaxing setting, lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a specifically chosen playlist, and under the supervision of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | The follow-up sessions serve as an opportunity to reflect upon the experience with the therapist, aiding in integrating the insights into daily life. | Several sessions over hours |
Tips for Navigating 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 to ensure a more therapeutic experience.
- Interview potential therapists, enquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic techniques, and knowledge in handling mental health conditions.
- Be open about your actual motives for seeking treatment, mental health conditions, medical records, and family mental health history.
- Consider therapists who specialize in treating your specific 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 decision to proceed with psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and inquire if they are willing to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the need to start Begin your psilocybin therapy journey on a safe note with lower doses, especially if you’re a novice. This approach should be followed under the guidance of your psilocybin therapist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re grappling with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, smoking cessation, or a terminal disease, psilocybin therapy might be an option worth considering.
However, if you have a personal or family history of schizophrenia or psychosis, the use of hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin could potentially exacerbate your symptoms. Individuals with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are also generally advised not to pursue this form of therapy.
What is the standard dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage often varies depending on individual response, typically starting with smaller doses in a therapeutic context. Clinical research has demonstrated that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, when combined with psychological support, resulted in decreased depression scores among individuals with treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be employed to treat PTSD?
This is an area of study that is currently developing rapidly. Nevertheless, research on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used in conjunction with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is more advanced. Studies on this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
