Those grappling with terminal illnesses frequently experience profound emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, an existential crisis, and a loss of purpose, which can exacerbate their already challenging circumstances.
Traditional treatments, such as counselling and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), can certainly provide some relief, yet they might not be effective for all. This has prompted scientists to investigate alternative, ground-breaking methods for end-of-life care.
There is a growing body of research suggesting that psychedelic therapy could be a viable treatment for existential distress in patients with incurable diseases. A review found in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry posits that psychedelics may help alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms, enhance life quality, and lessen death-related fears among patients with life-threatening conditions.
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Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterizes psychedelics originating from shrooms as potent substances that can alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s examine what various studies have discovered:
| Study Conducted By | Results |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin affect serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| Research from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound found in over 200 fungi species, could rewire the brains of those dealing with depression, possibly leading to a cure. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between different brain regions in those with depression, potentially helping them to overcome excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| Randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly decreased depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while improving life quality, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported diminished anxiety and depression following treatment with psilocybin, which led to a decrease in existential distress. The research also noted that these therapeutic effects were related to the psychedelic experience incited by psilocybin. |
Investigative Study
The researchers at the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences executed 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Study. Every participant was dealing with treatment-resistant depression and received a dose of psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants with milder depression were oblivious if they had received psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also participated in identical psychotherapy sessions.
Brain scans were carried out before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- The treatment with psilocybin reduced connections within brain regions linked to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. Moreover, it enhanced the connections to less integrated parts of the brain.
- The treatment also diminished the effects of emotional avoidance and led to significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The impact of psilocybin on the brain’s rewiring lasted for up to three weeks post the second dosage. Therefore, psilocybin could be an alternative treatment for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing long-standing negative thought patterns associated with the condition. This discovery suggests that psilocybin operates differently than traditional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Potential Cure
Psilocybin therapy refers to the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually accompanied by psychological assistance. This technique is being recognized for its potential to treat unresponsive depression, anxiety, and existential distress in terminally ill patients.
Recently, a survey led by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR was carried out to assess public opinion on the medical use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the study published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4
One in five Canadians supports the application of psilocybin to mitigate existential distress at the end of life.
According to lead researcher Michel Dorval, research has shown that when coupled with psychotherapy, psilocybin can provide quick, powerful, and long-lasting relief for individuals with advanced cancer. It’s significant to highlight that psilocybin-assisted therapy can inspire a deep sense of comprehension and relief that can persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that those with palliative care experience or prior use of psilocybin expressed more support. Dorval suggested that personal experiences with end-of-life distress may contribute to this receptiveness to innovative treatments.
Despite pre-existing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study reveals a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The authors expect that these results will increase the availability of this groundbreaking therapy.
Further Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Therapeutic Application for Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized trial featuring 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, evidence showed that the integration of psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a control group undergoing placebo therapy. The psilocybin group also consumed less alcohol on days when they drank.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking is infamously difficult, 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, in conjunction with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), allowed 10 out of 15 participants to stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study proposed that the psychedelic experience could possibly help reshape a smoker’s identity, thus facilitating long-term abstinence.
3. Anorexia Treatment
New research suggests that psilocybin could potentially aid individuals struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant symptom reduction in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-facilitated psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
Patients diagnosed with terminal illnesses frequently grapple with anxiety and depression. Encouragingly, studies suggest that psilocybin therapy can alleviate these symptoms. Notably, there has been substantial decline in depression and anxiety among patients with life-threatening cancer who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy offers potent healing effects quickly and may provide sustained benefits. Each session is individually tailored and adheres to specific clinical or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | The initial sessions are dedicated to discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to establish a trusting relationship and safe environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a comfortable setting, while lying down, with an eye mask, listening to a curated playlist, and under a therapist’s supervision. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Follow-up sessions offer a platform to reflect on the experience with the therapist, aiding in integrating the insights into daily life. | Multiple sessions spread over hours |
How to Navigate Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legal and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Choose a clinic that provides psilocybin treatment under the supervision of a therapist or professional guide for a more therapeutically beneficial experience.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic techniques, and proficiency in handling mental health conditions.
- Be open about your motivations for seeking treatment, mental health status, medical records, and family mental health history.
- Consider therapists specializing in your specific mental health issue and consult organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Fully disclose your medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to pursue psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and check if they are open to collaborating with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the need to start It’s advisable to start with smaller doses when undergoing psilocybin therapy, particularly if you’re inexperienced. This measure is taken for your safety under the supervision of your psilocybin therapist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a suitable candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re grappling with issues like depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, smoking cessation, or a terminal disease, you might want to contemplate psilocybin therapy.
Conversely, if you have a personal or family history of schizophrenia or psychosis, hallucinogens like psilocybin might exacerbate your condition. Likewise, individuals with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder are generally advised against this.
What is the usual dosage for psilocybin therapy?
The dosage usually fluctuates, starting with smaller quantities in a therapeutic environment and adjusting according to individual responses. Clinical trials have shown that a single dose of 25 milligrams of synthetic psilocybin, administered with psychological support, resulted in reduced depression levels in patients resistant to conventional treatments.
Can psilocybin be employed to treat PTSD?
This is a quickly developing field of research. However, studies on MDMA, an unconventional psychedelic with stimulant properties used in combination with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are more advanced. Phase 3 clinical trials are currently underway for this substance, and it is expected that MDMA may receive approval for PTSD treatment within this year.
