People grappling with terminal diseases often experience substantial emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential dilemmas, and feelings of lost purpose, further complicating their already challenging circumstances.
While conventional treatments like counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) may help, they do not yield effective results for everyone. This realization has led to the exploration of alternative, cutting-edge approaches to palliative care.
There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that psychedelic therapy could potentially alleviate existential distress in patients with incurable diseases. A review published in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics can potentially diminish symptoms of depression and anxiety, boost the quality of life, and lessen the fear of death in patients with terminal conditions.
To further investigate the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, many Canadians order shrooms online for their research pursuits.
[toc]
How Psilocybin Affects the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterize psychedelics derived from mushrooms as powerful substances that can alter cognition. They impact mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s delve into what various studies have uncovered:
| Researchers | Results |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics like psilocybin act on serotonin 2A receptors which regulate emotions and perception. |
| A study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound found in over 200 species of fungi, might restructure the brains of individuals with depression, possibly leading to a cure. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin intensifies connections between different brain regions in individuals suffering from depression, potentially aiding them in overcoming excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin considerably lessened depression, anxiety, and fear of death, while improving life quality, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants experienced reduced anxiety and depression after undergoing psilocybin therapy, which subsequently led to significant reductions in existential distress. Furthermore, it was noted that these therapeutic effects were tied to the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
Clinical Investigation
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. Psilocybin was administered to all participants who were diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression.
- Second Study. Participants with milder forms of depression were not informed whether they received psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also participated in the same psychotherapy sessions.
Scans were conducted before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Treatment with psilocybin decreased connections within parts of the brain associated with depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. At the same time, it increased connections to less integrated areas of the brain.
- The treatment reduced emotional avoidance behavior and led to significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The effect of psilocybin on brain rewiring remained for up to three weeks following the second dose. Therefore, psilocybin emerges as a potential alternative treatment for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing deeply-rooted negative thought patterns associated with the condition. This outcome suggests that psilocybin works differently than conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled application of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually in combination with psychological assistance. This therapy is garnering recognition for its potential to treat medication-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal conditions.
A recent survey carried out by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR was designed to gauge public opinion on the medicinal use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the study published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4 One in five Canadians support the use of psilocybin to help ease the existential distress associated with the end of life.
Michel Dorval, the head researcher, noted that research shows psilocybin, when used alongside psychotherapy, can provide swift, substantial, and sustained relief for individuals grappling with advanced stages of cancer. It’s essential to highlight that psilocybin therapy can evoke a deep sense of comprehension and relief that may persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey implies that those with exposure to palliative care or previous use of psilocybin are more supportive. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with existential distress at the end of life may contribute to this openness to novel approaches.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the research reveals a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care settings. The authors foresee that these findings will boost the availability of this innovative treatment.
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, the data revealed that the combination of psilocybin and psychotherapy resulted in significantly reduced heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a placebo-controlled group. The psilocybin-treated group also consumed less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking is famously difficult, but a small-scale pilot study by Johns Hopkins University researchers, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, suggested that psilocybin, in combination 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 reshape a smoker’s self-perception, thereby encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Potential Treatment for Anorexia
Up-and-coming research indicates psilocybin could be advantageous for those battling anorexia. A preliminary study, published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022, reported substantial reductions in eating disorder symptoms and anxiety in adults with anorexia who participated in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
Life
Many individuals diagnosed with terminal diseases often grapple with depression and anxiety. Emerging evidence suggests that psilocybin therapy can significantly mitigate these symptoms. Studies have indicated noteworthy declines in anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer diagnoses who underwent psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy holds the potential to deliver potent healing outcomes swiftly, with the possibility of sustained benefits. Each session is customized to suit individual needs and adheres to specific clinical or trial guidelines.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Prior | The initial sessions center around discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to foster a secure atmosphere and a robust relationship. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a psilocybin dose in a comfortable setting, reclining, wearing an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and in the company of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Subsequent | Follow-up sessions offer a space to dissect the experience with the therapist and help integrate the insights into daily life. | Several sessions spanning hours |
Guidelines for Pursuing Psilocybin Therapy
- Explore 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 potential therapists, inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic approaches, and expertise in mental health disorders.
- Be open about your true motives for seeking treatment, mental health issues, 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 thorough report 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 willing to coordinate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, procedure, and the need to begin. with smaller dosages to ensure safety under the guidance of your psilocybin therapist, particularly if you are new to the therapeutic use of psilocybin.
Order Shrooms Online from Schedule35 Canada
At Schedule35 Canada, we acknowledge the potential benefits of psilocybin therapy for mental health conditions such as treatment-resistant depression. Our user-friendly online dispensary offers a wide range of magic mushroom products, including dried shrooms, shroom edibles, and various strains to meet your needs.
Our mushroom dispensary prioritizes customer satisfaction. We provide a reliable and secure online platform to buy magic mushrooms. Experience the health benefits of small doses or explore larger doses for therapeutic purposes. Uncover the transformative power of psychedelics and venture into the mental health journey with Schedule35 Canada. Place your order for magic mushrooms online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you are dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or confronting a terminal illness, you might want to consider psilocybin therapy.
However, if you have a history or a familial predisposition of schizophrenia or psychosis, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin might exacerbate your symptoms. Similarly, individuals with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are usually advised against using these substances.
How much psilocybin is typically used in therapy?
The dosage usually varies, often starting with smaller doses in a therapeutic context and adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, given with psychological support, resulted in reduced depression scores in individuals with treatment-resistant depression.
Is psilocybin effective in treating PTSD?
This is an area of study that is quickly advancing. However, research on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is more developed. Studies on this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may receive approval for PTSD treatment this year.
