People confronting terminal illnesses often grapple with significant emotional distress, including feelings of depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a loss of purpose, which further complicates their already challenging circumstances.
Even though conventional treatments like counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can provide some relief, they aren’t universally effective. This reality has prompted researchers to seek out alternative, avant-garde methods for end-of-life care.
There is a growing body of research suggesting that psychedelic therapy could be a viable approach for addressing existential distress in patients suffering from incurable diseases. A review featured in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry posits that psychedelic substances can help diminish symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve quality of life, and ease death-related fears among patients with life-threatening illnesses.
In order to glean further insights into the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, Canadians frequently buy shrooms online for investigative purposes.
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How Psilocybin Affects the Brain
According to the National Institutes of Health, psychedelics derived from shrooms are potent agents that alter cognition. They impact mood and perception by interfacing with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Now, let’s delve into what various studies have uncovered:
| Researchers | Findings |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics, such as psilocybin, act on serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a hallucinogenic compound naturally present in over 200 fungi species, might reconfigure the brains of depression sufferers, potentially leading to a remedy. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin reinforces connections between various brain regions in people with depression, potentially enabling them to break free from excessive self-focus and overthinking. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly diminished depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while boosting quality of life, sense of life purpose, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants experienced a decrease in anxiety. |
| Psilocybin therapy has been found to effectively reduce anxiety and depression, leading to major alleviation in existential distress. The research also noted that the therapeutic benefits were closely associated with the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
Research Study
In order to validate these findings, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Study. All participants, diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression, received psilocybin treatment.
- Second Study. Participants with less severe depression were blind to whether they were administered psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also participated in the same psychotherapy regimen.
Scans were performed before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced the connections within brain areas related to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. Additionally, it enhanced connections to less interconnected brain regions.
- It reduced phenomena related to emotional avoidance and brought about significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The effect of psilocybin on brain restructuring remained evident for up to three weeks following the second dosage. Therefore, psilocybin represents a potential alternative treatment for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought patterns associated with the condition. This discovery suggests that psilocybin operates differently than conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Potential Therapeutic Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the supervised use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, typically alongside psychological support. This approach is garnering recognition for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal diseases.
A recent study 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 five Canadians supports the use of psilocybin to mitigate existential distress at the end of life.
Michel Dorval, the lead researcher, noted that research has shown that psilocybin, when used in conjunction with psychotherapy, can provide quick, potent, and long-lasting relief for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. It’s important to note that psilocybin-assisted therapy can trigger a deep sense of understanding and relief that can persist for up to six months.
In addition, the survey indicates that individuals with experience in palliative care or prior psilocybin use expressed more support. Dorval suggested that personal experiences with end-of-life distress may contribute to this openness to novel techniques.
Despite the prevailing prejudice against psychedelic drugs, the study points to a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care situations. The researchers expect these results to improve the accessibility of this groundbreaking therapy.
Further 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 pairing psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a control group who received placebo therapy. The group that was given psilocybin also drank less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking is infamously difficult, but a small-scale pilot study conducted by Johns Hopkins University researchers, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, suggested that the use of psilocybin in combination 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 reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby promoting long-term abstinence.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
New research suggests that psilocybin may be advantageous for those struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant reductions in eating disorder and anxiety symptoms in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-facilitated psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
Living with Terminal Illnesses
Many individuals suffering from terminal diseases often grapple with anxiety and depression. However, psilocybin therapy has shown promise in easing these symptoms. Studies have indicated a significant decrease in depression and anxiety levels among terminally ill cancer patients who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy holds promise to deliver potent therapeutic outcomes swiftly, potentially resulting in enduring benefits. The treatment is customized to address individual requirements and strictly adheres to clinic or trial guidelines.
| Stage | Description | Duration |
| Preparation | The initial sessions primarily revolve around discussing any concerns and treatment goals with a facilitator, fostering a strong rapport and a safe environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| Execution | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting, lying down with an eye mask, listening to a pre-selected playlist, and under the supervision of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Follow-Up | Subsequent meetings offer an opportunity to interpret the experience with the therapist, aiding in integrating the insights into regular life. | Multiple sessions over a period of hours |
How to Approach 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 professional guide for a more beneficial experience.
- Interview potential therapists, enquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic techniques, and mental health expertise.
- Be open about your actual motives for seeking treatment, mental health issues, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your specific mental health condition and seek guidance and training from organizations such as the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA).
- Give 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 undertake psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and inquire if they are open to collaborating with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the necessity to start with smaller dosages to ensure safety during your psilocybin therapy sessions, particularly if you are a novice to psilocybin therapy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or confronting a terminal disease, psilocybin therapy may be worth considering.
However, if you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or if these conditions run in your family, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin could exacerbate your symptoms. Similarly, individuals with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally advised against it.
What is the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage often varies, typically starting with smaller doses in a therapeutic context and adjusting according to individual responses. Clinical studies have shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, along with psychological support, led to reduced depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be used to treat PTSD?
This is a quickly developing area of research. However, studies on MDMA, an atypical psychedelic with stimulant properties used in combination with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are further along. Trials on this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
