People grappling with terminal illnesses frequently experience intense emotional challenges, including depression, anxiety, existential crises, and feelings of lost purpose, which can complicate their already difficult circumstances.
Traditional treatment options such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can provide some relief, but they don’t work for everyone. This has prompted scientists to investigate new and groundbreaking methods for end-of-life care.
There is growing evidence that psychedelic therapy could offer a potential remedy for existential distress in those suffering from incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry suggests that psychedelics can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve the quality of life, and reduce the fear of death for patients with life-threatening illnesses.
In an effort to further investigate the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, many Canadians buy shrooms online for research purposes.
[toc]
How Psilocybin Affects the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterizes psychedelics derived from shrooms as powerful substances that can alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by engaging with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s take a look at the findings from various studies:
| 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 study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound present in over 200 species of fungi, could potentially reorganize the brains of those with depression, potentially leading to a resolution. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances the connections between different brain areas in individuals with depression, which may help them overcome excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly decreased 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 reported decreased anxiety and depression as a result of psilocybin therapy, which subsequently led to a decrease in existential distress. The research also noted that the therapeutic benefits were associated with the psychedelic experience produced by psilocybin. |
Clinical Trial
Supporting this, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies, involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Study. Every participant was dealing with treatment-resistant depression and was given psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants with less severe depression did not know whether they received psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also received the same psychotherapy.
Scans were conducted 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. Simultaneously, it enhanced connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It lowered the effects of emotional avoidance and resulted in significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The influence of psilocybin on brain rewiring was observed to persist for up to three weeks following the second dosage. Thus, psilocybin provides a potential alternative solution for depression by restructuring the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought patterns associated with the disorder. This outcome suggests that psilocybin operates differently from conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the supervised use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, often accompanied by psychological support. This approach is gaining recognition for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal diseases.
A recent survey carried out 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 support the use of psilocybin to help relieve end-of-life existential distress.
Lead investigator Michel Dorval noted that evidence from research indicates that psilocybin, when used alongside psychotherapy, can offer quick, strong, and long-lasting relief for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. It’s important to highlight that psilocybin-assisted therapy can trigger a deep sense of understanding and solace that could persist for up to six months.
Additionally, the survey implies that those who have experience in palliative care or have previously used psilocybin demonstrated stronger support. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress could be influencing this receptiveness towards such pioneering approaches.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the research points to a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly within the context of palliative and end-of-life care. The authors foresee that these results will increase the availability of this innovative therapy.
Further Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized study involving 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was found that the integration of psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in considerably fewer heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a control group who received placebo therapy. The participants who were administered psilocybin also consumed less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking is commonly known to be tough, but a small pilot study conducted by scientists 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) 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 identity, thus encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Remedy for Anorexia
New research indicates that psilocybin could be helpful for individuals struggling with anorexia. An initial study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant decreases in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety in adults with anorexia who participated in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Mitigating End-of-Life Anxiety
Life
Many individuals diagnosed with terminal illnesses often grapple with anxiety and depression. Encouragingly, psilocybin therapy has shown promise in alleviating these distressing symptoms. Research supports that patients with life-threatening cancer diagnoses who underwent psilocybin therapy witnessed substantial reductions in their depression and anxiety levels.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy holds the promise of delivering impactful healing results swiftly, potentially offering enduring benefits. Each session is tailored to cater to the individual needs and follows the specific guidelines of the clinic or trial.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Prior | The initial sessions aim to discuss any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, building a strong relationship and creating a secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant takes a dose of psilocybin in a comfortable setting, reclining, with an eye mask on, listening to a selected playlist, and accompanied by a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Subsequent | The follow-up sessions offer a platform to reflect on the experience with the therapist, thereby aiding in integrating the insights into daily life. | Several sessions spanning hours |
Guidelines for Navigating 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 potential therapists about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic techniques, and expertise in handling mental health conditions.
- Be open about your genuine reasons for seeking treatment, mental health concerns, medical records, and family mental health history.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your specific mental health condition and consult organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for advice and training.
- Provide an exhaustive disclosure of your medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to undergo psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and ask if they are open to collaborating with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the necessity to begin For those new to psilocybin therapy, it’s advisable to start with lower doses, under the supervision of your psilocybin therapist, to ensure safety.
Buy Shrooms Online at Fungalfriend Canada
At Fungalfriend Canada, we acknowledge the potential benefits of psilocybin therapy in addressing mental health conditions like treatment-resistant depression. Our online dispensary is a convenient platform offering 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 trusted and secure platform for purchasing magic mushrooms online. Explore the potential of small doses for wellness or higher doses for therapeutic purposes. Unleash the transformative power of psychedelics and venture into the world of mental health with Fungalfriend Canada. Place an order for magic mushrooms online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re grappling with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or dealing with a terminal illness, psilocybin therapy may be worth considering.
However, if you have a history or family prevalence of schizophrenia or psychosis, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin might exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally advised against.
What’s the standard dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage tends to vary, typically starting with lower doses in a therapeutic context and adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical research indicates 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 utilized to treat PTSD?
This area of research is quickly evolving. However, studies on MDMA, an unconventional psychedelic with stimulant properties used in combination with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are more developed. Trials on this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and there are expectations that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
