Those grappling with terminal illnesses often confront immense emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential angst, and a feeling of lost significance which can exacerbate their already challenging circumstances.
Although existing interventions such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can offer relief, they might not be effective for all individuals. This realization has prompted researchers to investigate alternative, innovative solutions for end-of-life care.
Growing research suggests that psychedelic therapy could potentially alleviate existential suffering in patients diagnosed with incurable diseases. A study published in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry posits that psychedelics may help to ease depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and lessen fears associated with death among individuals with life-threatening illnesses.
To delve deeper into the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, many Canadians order shrooms online for research purposes.
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Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterizes psychedelics sourced 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 | Observations |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics like psilocybin interact with serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound found in over 200 species of fungi, may restructure the brains of individuals battling depression, potentially offering a remedy. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between distinct brain regions in depressed individuals, potentially aiding them to overcome excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly alleviated depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while improving life quality, life’s sense of purpose, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported reduced anxiety |
| Psilocybin therapy is known to improve anxiety and depression, easing existential distress. The therapeutic effects are attributed to the psychedelic experience that psilocybin induces. |
Clinical Research
Researchers at the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted two studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans to validate these claims.
Methodology
- Study One. Psilocybin was administered to all participants who were suffering from treatment-resistant depression.
- Study Two. Participants with less severe depression were not informed if they received psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). Psychotherapy was provided to all participants.
Pre and post-treatment scans were conducted to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connections within brain areas linked with depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also enhanced connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It reduced the effects of emotional avoidance and significantly improved cognitive functioning.
The effects of psilocybin on brain rewiring persisted up to three weeks post the second dosage, suggesting that psilocybin could provide an alternative treatment for depression by restructuring the brain and reducing negative thought patterns associated with the condition. This suggests that psilocybin operates differently from conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Regulated use of psilocybin in a therapeutic environment, often accompanied by psychological support, is termed as psilocybin therapy. It is increasingly being recognized for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in terminally ill patients.
Recently, researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR conducted a poll 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 mitigate existential distress at the end of life.
Lead researcher Michel Dorval noted that research illustrates that psilocybin, when used alongside psychotherapy, can provide quick, substantial, and long-lasting relief for people grappling with advanced cancer. It’s worth mentioning that psilocybin therapy can induce a deep sense of understanding and relief that can persist for up to six months.
Additionally, the survey indicates greater support among those with experience in palliative care or previous psilocybin use. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress might contribute to this openness toward novel approaches.
Despite prevalent prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study reveals a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly within palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The authors expect these results to further the availability 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 the combination of psilocybin and psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a control group undergoing placebo therapy. The group that received psilocybin also drank less alcohol on the days they did consume alcohol.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Although quitting smoking is notoriously hard, 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), helped 10 out of 15 participants to stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience could potentially aid in reshaping a smoker’s identity, thus fostering long-term abstinence.
3. Potential Treatment for Anorexia
Emerging research suggests that psilocybin may be beneficial for individuals struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant reductions in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
End-of-Life
Terminally ill patients often struggle with feelings of depression and anxiety. Encouragingly, there’s mounting evidence that psilocybin therapy can help to mitigate these symptoms. Studies have demonstrated significant decreases in anxiety and depression amongst patients diagnosed with life-threatening cancers, following psilocybin therapy.
What Can You Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy can potentially yield powerful and swift healing outcomes, which may have enduring benefits. Each session is customized to cater to individual requirements and is conducted in accordance with specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Prior | Initial sessions are dedicated to discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, with the objective of fostering a solid relationship and creating a safe environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant takes a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting, while lying down, wearing 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 reflect on the experience with the therapist, thereby enabling the integration of the insights into daily life. | Multiple sessions over a span of hours |
Recommendations for Undertaking Psilocybin Therapy
- Identify clinics where psilocybin is legal and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Choose a clinic that administers psilocybin treatment in the company of a therapist or a professional guide for a more beneficial experience.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic techniques, and proficiency in mental health disorders.
- Be forthright about your actual motivations 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).
- 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 undergo 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 commence For safety purposes, we recommend starting with lower doses, particularly if you’re new to psilocybin therapy, 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 dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or coping with a terminal illness, you might want to consider psilocybin therapy.
However, if you have a personal or family history of schizophrenia or psychosis, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin might exacerbate your symptoms. Similarly, individuals with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally advised to avoid such treatments.
What is the standard dosage of psilocybin for therapeutic purposes?
The dosage often varies and is typically started at lower levels in a therapeutic context, adjusting as per individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single dose of 25 milligrams of synthetic psilocybin, along with psychological support, led to reduced depression scores in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be utilized to treat PTSD?
This is a swiftly progressing area of research. Nonetheless, studies on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are more advanced. Research on this psychedelic has reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may be authorized for PTSD treatment this year.
