People grappling with terminal diseases often experience significant emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential crises, and feelings of lost purpose, which further complicates their predicament.
Although traditional treatments like counselling and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can offer relief, they do not prove effective for everyone. This limitation has prompted researchers to investigate novel, alternative strategies for end-of-life care.
Emerging research suggests that psychedelic therapy could be a viable option for treating existential distress in patients with incurable diseases. A review featured in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics may reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and ease fears related to death in patients with life-threatening conditions.
In an effort to further assess the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, many Canadians buy shrooms online for exploratory uses.
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How Psilocybin Affects the Brain
The National Institutes of Health describe psychedelics derived from mushrooms as powerful substances that can alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s examine the findings from various studies:
| Researchers | Study 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 report by Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a natural hallucinogenic compound present in more than 200 fungi species, could potentially reprogram the brains of those suffering from depression, paving the way for a possible cure. |
| Researchers at UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances the connectivity between distinct brain regions in depressed individuals, possibly aiding them to overcome excessive self-absorption and overthinking. |
| A randomized, double-blind study by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and fear of death, while increasing the quality of life, sense of life’s importance, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial at New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported decreased anxiety and existential distress reduction after psilocybin therapy. Furthermore, the study identified the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin as a key factor in these therapeutic effects. |
Clinical Research
The researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Study Design
- First Study: Each participant was dealing with treatment-resistant depression and received psilocybin treatment.
- Second Study: Participants with moderate depression were not informed if they were given psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also took part in the same psychotherapy sessions.
Brain scans were conducted before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Study Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connections within brain regions linked to depression, such as the default mode, salience, and executive networks, while strengthening connections to less integrated brain areas.
- The treatment lowered emotional avoidance effects and significantly improved cognitive functioning.
The changes in brain wiring caused by psilocybin remained for up to three weeks following the second dose. Therefore, psilocybin could serve as a potential alternative treatment for depression by reorganizing the brain and reducing chronic negative thought patterns associated with the condition. This suggests that psilocybin works differently than traditional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the regulated administration of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually combined with psychological support. This approach is increasingly being recognized for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in terminally ill patients.
Recently, a survey was carried out by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR to gauge public opinion on the medicinal use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the survey results published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4
One in five Canadians support the use of psilocybin for easing existential distress at the end of life.
Michel Dorval, the lead researcher, noted that studies show psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy, can provide quick, significant, and sustained relief for those dealing with advanced cancer. It’s worth noting that psilocybin therapy can induce a deep sense of understanding and relief, which can persist for up to six months.
The survey also indicates increased support among those with exposure to palliative care or previous psilocybin use. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress might contribute to this openness towards novel treatment approaches.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the research signals a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The researchers expect these results to improve the availability of this innovative treatment.
Further Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment 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 significantly fewer days of heavy drinking over roughly eight months compared to a placebo therapy group. The group that received psilocybin also drank less alcohol on the days they did consume.
2. Assistance in Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking is notoriously difficult, but a small pilot study 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) helped 10 out of 15 participants to stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience could help reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby facilitating long-term abstinence.
3. Anorexia Treatment
Initial research indicates that psilocybin may be helpful for people dealing with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant reductions in eating disorders symptoms and anxiety in adults with anorexia who participated in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviation of End-of-Life Anxiety
Life
Many individuals diagnosed with terminal illnesses often suffer from anxiety and depression. There’s encouraging evidence suggesting that psilocybin therapy can help alleviate these symptoms. Studies have demonstrated significant reductions in depression and anxiety among patients diagnosed with life-threatening cancer who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy holds the potential to deliver potent healing effects promptly, possibly yielding long-lasting benefits. Each session is customized for the individual and adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Prior | The initial sessions are dedicated to discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to establish a solid relationship and safe environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant takes a dose of psilocybin in a comfortable setting, lying down, with an eye mask on, listening to a chosen playlist, and under the supervision of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Subsequent | Follow-up sessions offer an avenue to discuss the experience with the therapist, aiding in integrating the insights into day-to-day life. | Several sessions lasting a few 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 in the presence of a therapist or a professional guide for a better therapeutic experience.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic approaches, and expertise in mental health disorders.
- Be open about your genuine reasons for seeking treatment, mental health concerns, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your specific mental health disorder and consult organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Provide 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 embark on psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and inquire if they are willing to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and necessity to start.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re battling depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, attempting to quit smoking, or dealing with a terminal illness, psilocybin therapy might be worth considering.
However, if you have a history or family prevalence of schizophrenia or psychosis, substances like psilocybin could exacerbate your symptoms. Also, those with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder are generally advised against it.
What is the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage can vary, typically starting with lower amounts in a therapeutic context and adjusting as per individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single dose of 25 milligrams of synthetic psilocybin, along with psychological support, led to a reduction in depression scores in those with treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be used to treat PTSD?
This is an area of study that is rapidly progressing. However, research is more advanced on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant characteristics used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment. Phase 3 clinical trials are currently being conducted on this psychedelic, and it is expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
