People suffering from terminal illnesses frequently experience significant emotional distress, such as depression, anxiety, existential crises, and a sense of lost meaning in life, which adds to the complexity of their situation.
Although existing interventions such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can provide relief, they may not be effective for everyone. This has prompted researchers to investigate innovative, alternative approaches to end-of-life care.
There is a growing body of research suggesting that psychedelic therapy could potentially alleviate existential distress in patients with incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics might reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve quality of life, and assuage fears related to death in patients with life-threatening conditions.
To better understand the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, Canadians frequently buy shrooms online for investigational purposes.
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Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health categorize psychedelics derived from shrooms as powerful substances that alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s delve into what various studies have uncovered:
| Researchers | Findings |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics like psilocybin interact with serotonin 2A receptors, which regulate emotions and perception. |
| A study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound present in over 200 species of fungi, could restructure the brains of individuals with depression, potentially leading to a treatment. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between different brain regions in people with depression, possibly aiding them in overcoming excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High dosages of psilocybin significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and fear of death, while improving quality of life, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported a decrease in anxiety and depression following psilocybin therapy resulted in a reduction in existential distress. The study also noted that the beneficial effects were associated with the psychedelic experience that psilocybin induces. |
Clinical Study Overview
Researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies to corroborate this. The studies involved a total of 60 participants, all of whom underwent fMRI brain scans.
Study Description
- First Study. This involved participants who were struggling with treatment-resistant depression. They were all administered psilocybin.
- Second Study. The participants in this study had less severe depression and were not informed whether they had received psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). Regardless of which they received, all participants also received the same psychotherapy.
Brain scans were taken before and after treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- The psilocybin treatment diminished connections within brain areas linked with depression, such as the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also fortified connections to less integrated brain regions.
- The treatment reduced the effects of emotional avoidance and significantly improved cognitive functioning.
The influence of psilocybin on brain rewiring persisted for up to three weeks after the second dose. Therefore, psilocybin provides a potential alternative treatment for depression by reconfiguring the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought patterns associated with the disorder. This evidence suggests that psilocybin operates differently from conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy is the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually along with psychological support. This approach is gaining recognition for its potential to treat depression resistant to other treatments, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal diseases.
Recently, a 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 results published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4
One in every five Canadians supports the use of psilocybin in easing existential distress at the end of life.
Michel Dorval, the lead researcher, noted that research has shown that psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy, can provide quick, substantial, and long-lasting relief for people grappling with advanced cancer. He emphasized that therapy using psilocybin can induce a deep sense of understanding and comfort that can last for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that those with exposure to palliative care or who have used psilocybin previously are more supportive. Dorval suggested that personal experiences with distress at the end of life could influence this receptivity to innovative approaches.
Despite the prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study reveals a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The authors expect that these findings will improve the accessibility of this groundbreaking therapy.
Additional 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, it was found that combining psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly less heavy drinking days over roughly eight months, compared to a control group receiving placebo therapy. The group that received psilocybin also consumed less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Assistance in Smoking Cessation
Despite the known difficulty of quitting smoking, a small pilot study conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, suggested that psilocybin, in conjunction with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), helped 10 out of 15 participants to remain smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study suggested that the psychedelic experience could potentially help reshape a smoker’s identity, thus encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
Upcoming research indicates that psilocybin may be helpful for individuals battling anorexia. An initial study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant reductions in eating disorder and anxiety symptoms in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
Life
Many individuals diagnosed with terminal diseases often grapple with anxiety and depression. There’s growing evidence indicating that psilocybin therapy can ease these symptoms. Studies have shown significant decreases in depression and anxiety among patients facing severe cancer diagnoses after undergoing psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy has the potential to deliver powerful therapeutic results quickly, potentially offering long-term benefits. Each session is custom-made to suit individual needs and adhere to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Prior | Initial sessions center around discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to create a robust relationship and a secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting, lying down, with an eye mask on, listening to a chosen playlist, and accompanied by a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Subsequent | Follow-up sessions offer an opportunity to interpret the experience with the therapist, thereby aiding in applying the insights to daily life. | Several sessions over hours |
Guidelines for Undertaking Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legal and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Choose a clinic that provides psilocybin treatment in the presence of a therapist or a professional guide to enhance the therapeutic effect.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their credentials, experience, therapeutic approaches, and proficiency in dealing with mental health disorders.
- Be open about your real 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 detailed account of your medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to opt for 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 whether or not you need to begin with your psilocybin therapist, it’s recommended to start with smaller doses, especially if you’re a psilocybin therapy beginner.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who can benefit from psilocybin therapy?
If you’re dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or coping 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 potentially exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, individuals with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally recommended to avoid such substances.
How much psilocybin is usually used in therapy?
The dosage tends to vary, 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, when used in conjunction with psychological support, led to a reduction in depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be utilized for treating PTSD?
This is an area of study that is quickly progressing. Presently, research on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties that is used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is more developed. Trials involving this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it’s expected that MDMA might receive approval for PTSD treatment this year.
