People grappling with terminal diseases frequently encounter significant emotional challenges like depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a loss of purpose, further complicating their circumstances.
Although conventional treatments such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can provide relief, they do not yield effective results 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 suffering from incurable ailments. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics may help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, improve life quality, and lessen death-related fears in those battling life-threatening conditions.
To delve deeper into the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, Canadians frequently order shrooms online for experimental use.
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The Impact of Psilocybin on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health defines psychedelics derived from shrooms as powerful substances that alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s delve into what various studies have revealed:
| Researchers | Findings |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin impact serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a natural hallucinogenic compound found in over 200 types of fungi, may restructure the brains of people with depression, potentially providing a remedy. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between various brain regions in individuals with depression, potentially aiding them in overcoming excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly lowered depression, anxiety, and death anxiety levels, while improving life quality, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported reduced anxiety and depression after undergoing psilocybin therapy, which led to a reduction in existential distress. The study also noted that these beneficial effects were associated with the psychedelic experience prompted by psilocybin. |
Clinical Research
Researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants, each of whom underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Study. The participants, all of whom were battling treatment-resistant depression, were administered psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants with milder depression were not informed if they were given psilocybin or a placebo antidepressant (escitalopram). Each participant also received the same psychotherapy.
Scans were performed before and after treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- The treatment with psilocybin weakened connections within brain areas related to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also intensified connections to lesser integrated brain regions.
- It reduced emotional avoidance impacts and led to considerable improvements in cognitive functioning.
The effect of psilocybin in reconfiguring the brain lasted up to three weeks following the second dosage. Therefore, psilocybin offers a potential alternative solution for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought patterns linked to the disease. This discovery suggests that psilocybin operates differently from conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Viable Treatment Option
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually in conjunction with psychological assistance. This method is receiving recognition for its capacity to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress 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 sought 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 application of psilocybin to mitigate existential distress at the end of life.
Michel Dorval, the lead researcher, noted that research has indicated that psilocybin, when used in combination with psychotherapy, can provide immediate, substantial, and long-lasting relief for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. It’s important to highlight that psilocybin therapy can induce a deep sense of comprehension and comfort that can endure for up to six months.
In addition, the survey indicates higher support among those experienced in palliative care or previous psilocybin use. Dorval suggests that personal encounters with end-of-life distress may contribute to this receptiveness to innovative treatments.
Despite prevailing 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 insights will increase the availability of this pioneering treatment.
Further Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
A double-blind, randomized trial involving 93 individuals, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, revealed that psilocybin used in conjunction with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer instances of heavy drinking over approximately eight months compared to a control group who received placebo therapy. The group treated with psilocybin also consumed less alcohol on the days they chose to drink.
2. Assistance in Smoking Cessation
Despite the well-known difficulty in quitting smoking, a preliminary 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 participants to stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study implied that the psychedelic experience could potentially aid in reshaping a smoker’s identity, fostering long-term abstention.
3. Intervention for Anorexia
New research indicates that psilocybin may be advantageous for individuals struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported notable reductions in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety in adults with anorexia who received psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviation of End-of-Life Anxiety
Life
A significant number of patients with terminal illnesses suffer from anxiety and depression. Recent evidence suggests that psilocybin therapy could be a viable solution to alleviate these distressing symptoms. Studies have indicated significant improvements in depression and anxiety levels among life-threatening cancer patients who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy offers the possibility of swift and potent healing effects that could yield long-lasting benefits. Every session is customized to cater to the individual’s unique needs and strictly adheres to the specific guidelines of the clinic or trial.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Prior | Initial sessions concentrate on discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator. The primary objective is to foster a trusting relationship and create a secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a calm setting, while lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a handpicked playlist, and under the supervision of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Subsequent | Follow-up sessions serve as a platform to reflect on the experience with the guidance of the therapist, aiding in the integration of the insights into daily life. | Several sessions spanning hours |
Guidelines for Undertaking Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legalized 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 for an optimal therapeutic outcome.
- Evaluate potential therapists by inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic approaches, and expertise in mental health disorders.
- Be honest about your actual motivations for seeking treatment, mental health concerns, medical records, and family mental health history.
- Consider therapists who have a specialty in your specific mental health condition and seek advice and training from organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA).
- Provide a thorough account of your medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to embark on 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 potential need to start
- Begin your psilocybin therapy journey under the guidance of a psilocybin therapist, prioritizing lower doses for safety, particularly if you are a novice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re battling depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, struggling to quit smoking, or dealing 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 could exacerbate your symptoms. Individuals with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally advised to avoid these substances.
What’s the standard dosage of psilocybin for therapy?
The dosage usually varies, typically starting with lower doses in a therapeutic environment and adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical studies have shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, accompanied by psychological support, led to a reduction in depression scores among individuals with treatment-resistant depression.
Is psilocybin an effective treatment for PTSD?
While this area of research is still developing, studies on MDMA, a non-conventional psychedelic with stimulant properties used in combination with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are more advanced. Clinical trials for this psychedelic have reached phase 3, and approval for its use in PTSD treatment is expected this year.
