Those grappling with life-threatening diseases frequently experience significant emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a loss of purpose, which can exacerbate their already challenging circumstances.
Existing treatments such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can provide some relief, but they don’t yield beneficial results for everyone. Consequently, researchers have begun investigating alternative, cutting-edge methods for end-of-life care.
Mounting evidence suggests that psychedelic therapy might offer a viable solution for alleviating existential distress in patients with incurable diseases. A study published in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics may help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and mitigate fears associated with death in patients suffering from life-threatening conditions.
In their quest to further understand the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, many Canadians buy shrooms online for research purposes.
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Understanding Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health categorize psychedelics derived from mushrooms as potent substances that can alter cognition. They impact mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin pathways.
Let’s delve into what various studies have discovered:
| Research Team | Observations |
| 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 naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound found in over 200 species of fungi, may restructure the brains of individuals with depression, possibly leading to a cure. |
| Scientists from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin amplifies 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 concentrations of psilocybin significantly decreased depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while improving life quality, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported diminished anxiety and depression following psilocybin treatment, resulting in a reduction of existential distress. The study also found that these therapeutic effects were correlated with the psychedelic experience that psilocybin induces. |
Clinical 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.
Procedure
- First Study. All participants were experiencing treatment-resistant depression and were given a dose of psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants with less severe depression were not informed whether they received psilocybin or a placebo antidepressant (escitalopram). All participants also participated in the same psychotherapy.
Scans were taken before and after treatment to assess the results.
Findings
- The treatment with psilocybin reduced connections within brain areas linked to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also reinforced connections to less integrated regions of the brain.
- It curtailed the effects of emotional avoidance and brought significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The effects of psilocybin on brain restructuring continued for up to three weeks following the second dose. Therefore, psilocybin offers a potential alternative solution for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought patterns associated with the disorder. This discovery suggests that psilocybin operates differently from conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Potential Treatment Approach
The controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, often combined with psychological support, is known as psilocybin therapy. This approach is being recognized for its potential to treat depression resistant to traditional treatments, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal illnesses.
A recent survey conducted by researchers from the Faculty of Pharmacy at Université Laval, 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 every five Canadians supports the application of psilocybin for mitigating existential distress at the end of life.
Lead investigator Michel Dorval noted that research has shown that psilocybin, when applied alongside psychotherapy, can provide swift, powerful, and lasting relief for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. It’s worth highlighting that psilocybin-assisted therapy can trigger a deep sense of comprehension and comfort that can endure for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey implies that those with exposure to palliative care or former psilocybin usage expressed higher approval. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress might contribute to this receptivity towards innovative approaches.
Despite the prevalent prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the research signals a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly within the realms of palliative and end-of-life care. The authors expect that these results will improve the reach of this groundbreaking therapy.
Extra Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized trial involving 93 participants, which was 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 that received placebo therapy. The group treated with psilocybin also drank less alcohol on the days they did consume.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Even though quitting smoking is notoriously tough, a small pilot study carried out by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, suggested that psilocybin, in combination with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), enabled 10 out of 15 participants to stay smoke-free for a year. Further research indicated that the psychedelic experience could potentially help reshape a smoker’s identity, thus fostering long-term abstinence.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
New findings suggest that psilocybin might be useful for individuals battling anorexia. A preliminary study published in May 2022 in Biological Psychiatry noted significant decreases in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-facilitated psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating Anxiety at the End of End of Life
Many individuals grappling with terminal illnesses often undergo anxiety and depression. However, there is encouraging evidence suggesting that psilocybin therapy can help mitigate these symptoms. Studies have demonstrated significant alleviation of depression and anxiety in patients living with life-threatening cancer diagnoses who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy holds the potential to provide impactful healing outcomes quickly, possibly offering enduring benefits. Each session is customized to meet individual needs and follows specific guidelines set by the clinic or trial.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | The preliminary sessions focus on discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to establish a strong rapport and a secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting, lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and in the company of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Subsequent sessions offer an opportunity to reflect on the experience with the therapist, thereby facilitating the integration of insights into daily life. | Several sessions over hours |
Recommendations for Navigating Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legal and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Choose a clinic that provides psilocybin treatment with the guidance of a therapist or a professional guide for a more therapeutic outcome.
- Interview prospective therapists, inquiring about their credentials, experience, therapeutic approaches, and specialization in mental health disorders.
- Be open about your true motivations for seeking treatment, mental health concerns, medical history, and familial mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your particular mental health condition and consult organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Offer 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 pursue psilocybin therapy with your current 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 smaller doses as a safer option when you’re trying psilocybin therapy for the first time with your therapist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is suitable for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re battling depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to stop smoking, or dealing with a terminal disease, 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. It’s generally not recommended for those with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder.
What’s the usual dosage of psilocybin for therapy?
The dosage generally varies, often starting with lower doses in a therapeutic environment and adjusting according to individual responses. Clinical studies have shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, accompanied by psychological support, resulted in reduced depression scores in those with treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be used for treating PTSD?
This is an emerging field of research. However, studies on MDMA, an unconventional psychedelic with stimulant properties and 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 might be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
