People grappling with terminal illnesses often experience significant emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, an existential crisis, and a sense of lost purpose, all of which exacerbate their challenging circumstances.
While existing methods such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can provide relief, they might not be effective for everyone. This reality has driven researchers to seek out innovative and alternative strategies for end-of-life care.
Mounting research suggests that psychedelic therapy could potentially address existential anxiety among patients with incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics can ease depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and lessen death-related fears among individuals with life-threatening conditions.
In an effort to further investigate the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, many Canadians routinely buy shrooms online for research purposes.
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Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterizes psychedelics derived from mushrooms 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 to say:
| Researchers | Results |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin interact with serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A report from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a natural hallucinogenic compound present in over 200 species of fungi, might restructure the brains of those with depression, possibly leading to a solution. |
| Researchers at 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 diminished depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while boosting quality of life, sense of purpose, and optimism. |
| A clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported decreased anxiety. and depression after undergoing psilocybin therapy, leading to a reduction in existential distress. The study also noted that the therapeutic benefits were associated with the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
Clinical Research
In order to validate this, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Study. All participants were battling treatment-resistant depression and were given psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants with milder depression were left unaware whether they received psilocybin or a placebo antidepressant (escitalopram). All participants also received the same psychotherapy.
Scans were conducted before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connections within brain regions linked with depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also fostered stronger connections to less associated brain areas.
- It mitigated emotional avoidance effects and led to significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The impact of psilocybin on brain rewiring persisted for up to three weeks following the second dosage. Thus, psilocybin provides a potential alternative solution for depression by reshaping the brain and lessening entrenched negative thought patterns related to the disorder. This discovery suggests that psilocybin operates differently from conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Potential Treatment Strategy
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually combined with psychological support. This approach is gathering recognition for its potential to address treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in terminally ill patients.
A recent survey led by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR aimed 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 as a means to ease the existential distress related to the end of life.
Lead researcher Michel Dorval noted that psilocybin, when used alongside psychotherapy, has shown to provide immediate, potent, and long-lasting relief for patients dealing with terminal cancer. It’s important to highlight that psilocybin therapy can elicit a deep sense of comprehension and relief that can persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that those with a background in palliative care or previous exposure to psilocybin showed a higher level of support. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress might contribute to this receptiveness to unconventional methods.
Despite the prevailing prejudices against psychedelic substances, the study reveals an upward trend in the acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life circumstances. The authors predict this data will positively impact the accessibility of this emerging therapeutic approach.
Additional Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
A double-blind, randomized trial involving 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, revealed that the combination of psilocybin and psychotherapy resulted in a significant reduction in heavy drinking days over approximately eight months, compared to a placebo group. The group treated with psilocybin also reported consuming less alcohol on drinking days.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Although it is famously difficult to quit smoking, a 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), assisted 10 out of 15 participants in remaining smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study theorized that the psychedelic experience could potentially reshape a smoker’s self-perception, thereby encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
Initial research suggests that psilocybin may be beneficial for individuals battling anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant symptom alleviation for eating disorders and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Mitigation of End-of-Life Anxiety
End of Life
Anxiety and depression are common among those diagnosed with terminal illnesses. Psilocybin therapy has shown promise in alleviating these symptoms. Studies have confirmed significant reductions in anxiety and depression among patients with life-threatening cancer who underwent this form of therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy offers the potential for profound healing in a short span of time, possibly providing lasting benefits. Each session is customized to the individual’s needs and adheres to specific clinic or trial guidelines.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | In initial sessions, the focus is on discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator to foster a secure environment and a strong rapport. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant takes a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting. They lie down, wear an eye mask, listen to a chosen playlist, and have a therapist present. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Follow-up sessions offer an opportunity to explore the experience with the therapist. This helps integrate the insights gained into everyday life. | Several sessions spread over hours |
Suggestions for Undertaking Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legal 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 enhanced therapeutic experience.
- Interview prospective therapists to understand their qualifications, experience, therapeutic approaches, and expertise in handling mental health conditions.
- Be open about your exact motivations for seeking treatment, any mental health challenges, 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).
- Disclose your complete medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your plan to undergo psilocybin therapy with your existing mental health provider and inquire if they are open to collaborating with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Talk about the dosage, protocol, and the need to start with a lower dosage under the guidance of your psilocybin therapist, especially if this is your first time undertaking psilocybin therapy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for psilocybin therapy?
If you are grappling with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or dealing with a terminal disease, psilocybin therapy might be an option you may want to consider.
However, if you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or these conditions run in your family, hallucinogens like psilocybin could exacerbate your symptoms. Similarly, conditions like bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally discouraged.
What is the standard dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage typically varies and starts with lower doses in a therapeutic context, adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical studies have shown that a single dose of 25 milligrams of synthetic psilocybin, accompanied by psychological support, resulted in reduced depression scores in individuals with treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be used to treat PTSD?
This is a rapidly developing area of research. However, the research on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used in conjunction with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is more advanced. Trials on this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
