Those grappling with terminal illnesses frequently endure profound emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a loss of purpose, which exacerbates their already challenging circumstances.
Traditional treatments such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can offer relief, but they are not universally effective. Consequently, researchers are investigating fresh, unconventional methods to address end-of-life care.
There’s a growing body of research suggesting that psychedelic therapy could be a promising tool for alleviating existential anguish in patients with terminal conditions. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry posits that psychedelics can help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and ease fears related to death in patients dealing with life-threatening diseases.
To delve deeper into the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, Canadians frequently buy shrooms online for study and research.
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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 interacting with serotonin circuits in the brain.
Let’s examine what various studies have to say:
| Research Teams | Conclusions |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin interact with serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| Research published in Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a natural hallucinogenic compound found in over 200 species of fungi, could potentially rewire the brains of those dealing with depression, offering a potential treatment. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin can enhance the connectivity between different brain areas in individuals with depression, possibly aiding them in breaking patterns of excessive introspection and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind study by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly decreased depression, anxiety, and fear of death, while increasing life quality, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| Clinical study from New York University | 60% to 80% of participants reported a decrease in anxiety |
| Psilocybin therapy has been found to yield significant reductions in anxiety and depression, leading to substantial improvements in the existential distress experienced by patients. The observed therapeutic benefits were closely tied to the psychedelic experience triggered by the psilocybin. |
The Clinical Study
In order to validate these findings, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Study Procedures
- First Study: Each participant in this study was grappling with treatment-resistant depression and received psilocybin therapy.
- Second Study: Participants with less severe depression were not aware whether they were given psilocybin or a placebo antidepressant (escitalopram). All participants also received the same psychotherapy.
Brain scans were performed before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Research Findings
- Psilocybin therapy reduced connectivity within brain regions related to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. Conversely, it enhanced connections to less integrated areas of the brain.
- The treatment lowered the effects of emotional avoidance and led to significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The effect of psilocybin on brain restructuring lasted for up to three weeks after the second dose. Thus, psilocybin emerges as a potential alternative treatment for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought patterns associated with the disorder. This discovery suggests that psilocybin operates differently than conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – An Emerging Treatment Approach
The controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic environment, typically accompanied by psychological help, is known as psilocybin therapy. This method is gaining recognition as a potential treatment for individuals suffering from treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress, particularly in terminally ill patients.
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 medicinal uses of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the survey results published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4 One in every five Canadians approve the use of psilocybin to soothe existential distress at the end of life.
Michel Dorval, the lead researcher, noted that research has shown that psilocybin, when used alongside psychotherapy, can provide swift, substantial, and lasting relief for individuals dealing with advanced cancer. It’s important to highlight that psilocybin therapy can summon a deep sense of comprehension and comfort that may persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that individuals with knowledge of palliative care or prior psilocybin use expressed more support. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with existential distress at the end of life could contribute to this acceptance towards unconventional approaches.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic substances, the study highlights a growing recognition of psilocybin therapy in Canada, especially in the context of palliative and end-of-life care. The researchers expect that these insights will improve the accessibility of this innovative treatment.
Additional 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 pairing psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer days of heavy drinking over about eight months compared to a control group who received placebo therapy. The group that received psilocybin also drank less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking is famously difficult, but a small pilot study by Johns Hopkins University researchers, 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 stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study proposed that the psychedelic experience could potentially reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby supporting long-term abstinence.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
Emerging studies suggest that psilocybin might be beneficial for individuals battling anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant reductions in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety among adults with anorexia who received psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating Anxiety at the End of End of Life
A significant number of people diagnosed with terminal diseases often suffer from anxiety and depression. Encouragingly, there’s mounting evidence that psilocybin therapy can help to mitigate these symptoms. Studies have reported considerable decreases in depression and anxiety among patients diagnosed with life-threatening cancers who participated in psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy
Psilocybin therapy has the potential to deliver potent healing results quickly, offering potentially enduring advantages. Each session is customized to the individual’s unique needs, adhering to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Prior | The preliminary sessions are centered around discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, with the objective of establishing a solid rapport and a safe environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting, lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and under the supervision of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Subsequent | Post-therapy sessions provide an opportunity to reflect on the experience with the therapist, aiding in the integration of the insights into daily life. | Multiple sessions over hours |
Guidelines for Undertaking Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legal, and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Select a clinic that administers psilocybin treatment with a therapist or a professional guide present for an enhanced therapeutic experience.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic approaches, and proficiency in mental health conditions.
- Be honest about your real motivations for seeking treatment, mental health concerns, medical history, and familial mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your particular mental health condition and engage with organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Give 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 undergo psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and inquire if they are open to collaboration with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the necessity to initiate It is prudent to start with lower doses of psilocybin for safety reasons under the guidance of your psilocybin therapist, particularly if you are a novice to psilocybin therapy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is suitable 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 worth considering.
However, if you have a past history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or these disorders run in your family, hallucinogens like psilocybin might exacerbate your symptoms. Similarly, individuals with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally advised against it.
What is the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage typically fluctuates, starting with lower doses in a therapeutic context and modifying based on individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, assisted by psychological support, led to reduced depression scores in people with treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be utilized to treat PTSD?
This is a rapidly progressing area of study. However, the research on MDMA, an unconventional psychedelic with stimulant attributes used in combination with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is more developed. Studies on this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may get approval for PTSD treatment this year.
