People coping with terminal diseases frequently encounter overwhelming emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential struggles, and a sense of lost direction, which further complicates their circumstances.
Existing methods such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can offer relief, but they are not universally effective. This has prompted scientists to explore new, creative strategies for end-of-life care.
Emerging studies suggest that psychedelic therapy could potentially alleviate existential distress in patients with incurable illnesses. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics may reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve quality of life, and lessen death-related fears among those facing life-threatening conditions.
To delve deeper into the potential of psilocybin mushrooms, Canadians often buy shrooms online for investigatory purposes.
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Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterize psychedelics derived from shrooms as powerful substances that can alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s delve into what various studies suggest:
| Researchers | Results |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin target serotonin 2A receptors responsible for emotions and perception. |
| A study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound present in over 200 fungi species, could reconfigure the brains of individuals with depression, possibly offering a cure. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between various brain regions in depressed individuals, potentially aiding them in overcoming excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind study by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly alleviated depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while improving quality of life, sense of life’s purpose, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of subjects reported diminished anxiety and depression, following therapy with psilocybin, noting significant alleviation in existential distress. It was observed that the therapeutic effects were intrinsically linked to the psychedelic experience invoked by psilocybin. |
Conducting the Clinical Study
To corroborate this, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Study Procedure
- First Study. Participants, all of whom were suffering from treatment-resistant depression, were administered psilocybin.
- Second Study. The cohort consisting of participants with less severe depression were kept in the dark regarding whether they received psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also received the same psychotherapy.
Brain scans were conducted before and after the treatment to assess its impact.
Study Findings
- Psilocybin treatment resulted in decreased connections within brain areas related to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also resulted in increased connections to less integrated brain regions.
- There was a reduction in emotional avoidance effects, and significant improvements in cognitive functioning were observed.
The influence of psilocybin on brain rewiring remained for up to three weeks post the second dosage. It thus suggests that psilocybin could be a promising alternative treatment for depression by reconfiguring the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought processes associated with the condition. This discovery implies that the mechanism of action of psilocybin differs from conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – Exploring a Potential Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy refers to the controlled usage of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, generally accompanied by psychological guidance. This approach is gaining recognition for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients suffering from terminal diseases.
A recent survey conducted by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR aimed to gauge public opinion on the medical 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 as a means to mitigate existential distress at the end of life.
According to the primary investigator, Michel Dorval, research has shown that combining psilocybin with psychotherapy can provide quick, substantial, and lasting relief for individuals dealing with advanced cancer. It is important to note that this type of therapy can instigate a deep sense of comprehension and relief that can persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that individuals with experience in palliative care or prior use of psilocybin were more supportive. Dorval emphasized that personal encounters with end-of-life distress might contribute to this receptivity towards innovative approaches.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study reveals a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in the context of palliative and end-of-life care. The authors expect these results to improve the availability of this groundbreaking therapy.
Additional Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
A double-blind, randomized trial of 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, found that pairing psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer instances of heavy drinking over approximately eight months compared to a control group undergoing placebo therapy. The psilocybin recipients also consumed less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Although it is notoriously difficult to quit smoking, a small pilot study by Johns Hopkins University researchers, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, suggested that using psilocybin in combination with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) allowed 10 out of 15 participants to stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience could potentially reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby fostering long-term abstinence.
3. Anorexia Treatment
New research suggests that psilocybin might be helpful for those struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported a significant decrease in eating disorder and anxiety symptoms in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
Existence
Those diagnosed with terminal illnesses often grapple with depression and anxiety. However, there is encouraging evidence that psilocybin therapy could offer significant relief from these symptoms. Studies have indicated a noteworthy decrease in depression and anxiety levels in 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, swift healing results that could have long-term benefits. Each therapy session is customized to cater to individual needs and is conducted according to specific guidelines set by the clinic or trial.
| Stage | Explanation | Length |
| Before | Initial sessions revolve around discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to establish a trusting relationship and a secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed environment, lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and accompanied by a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Post-therapy sessions offer a chance to interpret the experience with the therapist, which aids in assimilating the insights gained into daily life. | Multiple sessions of varying lengths |
Tips for Undertaking Psilocybin Therapy
- Explore clinics where psilocybin is legal, and if necessary, consider joining a waiting list.
- Choose a clinic that administers psilocybin treatment under the supervision of a therapist or a professional guide for a more therapeutic outcome.
- Interview potential therapists, enquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic approaches, and expertise in handling mental health conditions.
- Be open about your actual reasons for seeking treatment, mental health conditions, 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).
- Ensure to 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 inquire if they are willing to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the need to begin with a lower dosage for safety under the guidance of your psilocybin therapist, particularly if you’re new 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 could be an 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 might exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, individuals with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally not recommended to use this treatment.
What is the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage typically fluctuates, often starting with lower doses in a therapeutic environment and adjusting according to individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, administered with psychological support, led to reduced depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be utilized to treat PTSD?
This field of study is rapidly advancing. However, research on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used in conjunction with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is more developed. Trials on this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
