People diagnosed with terminal diseases frequently grapple with substantial emotional upheaval, including depression, anxiety, existential dread, and feelings of lost meaning in life, further complicating their challenging circumstances.
While established treatments such as therapy or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can offer help, they don’t always deliver the desired results for all patients. Consequently, researchers are investigating alternative, avant-garde strategies for end-of-life care.
Emerging research suggests that psychedelic therapy could be potentially beneficial in managing existential distress in patients diagnosed with incurable diseases. According to a review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry, psychedelics can lessen symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve life quality, and reduce the fear related to mortality in patients with life-threatening illnesses.
To delve deeper into the potential benefits of psilocybin mushrooms, Canadians frequently buy shrooms online for experimental purposes.
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The Impact of Psilocybin on the Brain
As stated by the National Institutes of Health, psychedelics derived from shrooms are powerful substances that can alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin pathways.
Let’s delve into what various studies have uncovered:
| Researchers | Results |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin interact with serotonin 2A receptors, which regulate emotions and perception. |
| A study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a hallucinogenic compound naturally present in more than 200 fungi species, could potentially restructure the brains of depression sufferers, leading to possible cure. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections among diverse brain regions in people with depression, possibly aiding them to overcome excessive self-absorption and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin greatly reduced depressive symptoms, anxiety, and fear of death, while improving quality of life, sense of purpose, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported decreased anxiety and depression after psilocybin therapy, which led 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 these findings, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants, who all underwent fMRI brain scans before and after treatment.
Methodology
- First Study: All participants suffered from treatment-resistant depression and were administered psilocybin.
- Second Study: Participants with less severe depression were not aware if they had received psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also participated in the same psychotherapy.
Scans were taken before and after treatment to examine the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connections within brain areas associated with depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also amplified connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It mitigated the effects of emotional avoidance and brought about significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The impact of psilocybin on brain rewiring was observed to last for up to three weeks after the second dosage. Therefore, psilocybin presents a potential alternative treatment for depression by reconfiguring the brain and reducing persistent negative thought patterns associated with the condition. This discovery suggests that psilocybin works differently from conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, typically combined with psychological counseling. This approach is gaining recognition for its potential to treat intractable depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal diseases.
A recent survey conducted by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR sought to assess 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 application of psilocybin to mitigate existential distress in terminally ill patients.
Lead researcher Michel Dorval noted that research supports the use of psilocybin, in combination with psychotherapy, as a fast, potent, and long-lasting solution for those dealing with advanced cancer. It is important to highlight that psilocybin therapy can foster a deep sense of understanding and relief that can persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that individuals with experience in palliative care or prior use of psilocybin are more likely to support this approach. Dorval suggested that firsthand experience with end-of-life distress might contribute to this receptivity to innovative treatments.
Even with existing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the research underscores a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in the context of palliative and end-of-life care. The authors expect that these insights will facilitate greater access to this groundbreaking therapy.
Extra Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Therapeutic Intervention for Alcohol Use Disorder
A double-blind, randomized trial involving 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, revealed that combining psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in notably fewer instances of heavy drinking over approximately eight months, compared to a placebo control group. The group who received psilocybin also consumed less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Despite the well-known difficulty of quitting smoking, a small pilot study led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, suggested that psilocybin, paired with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), helped 10 out of 15 participants to stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study suggested that the psychedelic experience could help reshape a smoker’s identity, thus encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Potential Treatment for Anorexia
Emerging research suggests that psilocybin could be beneficial for individuals struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 demonstrated significant reductions in eating disorder and anxiety symptoms in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
End of Life
Many individuals diagnosed with terminal diseases often struggle with depression and anxiety. Encouragingly, there is growing evidence that psilocybin therapy can help alleviate such symptoms. Studies have highlighted significant reductions in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer diagnoses who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy holds the potential to deliver powerful healing effects swiftly, possibly yielding long-term benefits. Each session is designed to accommodate individual needs and adheres to specific guidelines set by the clinic or trial.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | The initial sessions are geared towards discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, in order to forge a strong bond and a secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a serene setting, lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and under the accompaniment of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Follow-up sessions offer a space to interpret the experience with the therapist, aiding in the integration of the insights into daily life. | Several sessions over a number of hours |
Recommendations for Navigating Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legal and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Select a clinic that conducts psilocybin treatment under the supervision of a professional guide or therapist for a more therapeutic experience.
- Interview potential therapists, asking about their credentials, experience, therapeutic methods, and expertise in mental health conditions.
- Be open about your true motivations for seeking treatment, mental health issues, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your specific mental health condition and consult organizations such as the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Provide a thorough disclosure of your medical and mental health history, especially if there is a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to proceed with psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and ask if they are willing to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the necessity to start Especially if psilocybin therapy is new to you, it’s safer to start with lower doses under the guidance of your psilocybin therapist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is suitable for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re grappling with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or dealing with a terminal disease, psilocybin therapy could be a consideration for you.
However, if you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or these conditions run in your family, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin could exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are usually not recommended.
What’s the standard dosage of psilocybin for therapy?
The dosage generally differs, typically starting with smaller doses in a therapeutic environment and adjusting according to individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, combined with psychological support, led to reductions in depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can PTSD be treated with psilocybin?
This area of study is developing rapidly. However, research is more advanced on MDMA, an unconventional psychedelic with stimulant characteristics used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment. Studies on this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it’s expected that MDMA may receive approval for PTSD treatment this year.
