People grappling with terminal diseases often experience significant emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential crisis, and a feeling of lost purpose, which intensifies the hardship of their condition.
Although traditional treatments such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can offer relief, they might not be effective for everyone. This has prompted researchers to investigate new, creative strategies for end-of-life care.
There is growing research suggesting that psychedelic therapy could be a promising way to alleviate existential suffering in patients with incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics can lessen depressive and anxious symptoms, improve quality of life, and reduce fears associated with death in patients facing life-threatening conditions.
Canadians often order shrooms online to further investigate the potential of psilocybin mushrooms.
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Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterizes 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 discovered:
| Researchers | Findings |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics like psilocybin target serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A report by Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound present in over 200 fungi species, may reorganize the brains of depression sufferers, which could lead to a potential cure. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between various brain regions in depressed individuals, potentially aiding them in overcoming excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while boosting life quality, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported reduced anxiety and depression following psilocybin therapy, which resulted in a decrease in existential distress. It was also noted in the study that these therapeutic effects were associated with the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
Research Study
To validate these findings, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences undertook 2 studies, involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Study. The participants, all of whom were suffering from treatment-resistant depression, were given psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants with less severe depression were not informed if they were receiving psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also participated in the same psychotherapy.
Scans were performed before and after treatment to assess the effects.
Outcomes
- Psilocybin treatment decreased connections within brain areas linked with depression, such as default mode, salience, and executive networks. Conversely, it bolstered connections to less integrated brain regions.
- The treatment reduced emotional avoidance effects and led to significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The effect of psilocybin on brain rewiring lasted for up to three weeks following the second dose. Therefore, psilocybin offers a potential alternative solution for depression by reshaping the brain and mitigating entrenched negative thoughts associated with the disorder. This evidence suggests that psilocybin works differently from conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – An Emerging Treatment Approach
The controlled application of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually coupled with psychological guidance, is referred to as psilocybin therapy. This approach is gaining recognition for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in terminally ill patients.
A recent survey conducted by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR aimed to gauge public opinion on the medicinal use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the survey published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4 One in every five Canadians supports using psilocybin to help ease existential anxiety at the end of life.
Michel Dorval, the head researcher, noted that research has shown psilocybin, when used in tandem with psychotherapy, provides quick, strong, and enduring relief for individuals struggling with terminal cancer. It’s important to highlight that psilocybin therapy can induce a deep sense of understanding and relief that can persist for up to six months.
The survey also indicates that those with experience in palliative care or previous exposure to psilocybin tend to show more support. Dorval suggests that personal experiences with facing the end of life may contribute to this increased openness to novel approaches.
Despite prevailing biases against psychedelic drugs, the research shows a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The authors expect these findings to improve the accessibility of this innovative treatment.
Additional Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized trial involving 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was demonstrated that psilocybin combined with psychotherapy significantly reduced heavy drinking days over an eight-month period compared to a control group receiving placebo therapy. The group that received psilocybin also consumed less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking is notoriously difficult, but a small pilot study conducted by Johns Hopkins University researchers, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, suggested that psilocybin, coupled with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), allowed 10 out of 15 participants to stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience might help reshape a smoker’s identity, which could encourage lasting abstinence.
3. Treatment for Anorexia
New research suggests that psilocybin might be helpful for those battling anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant reductions in eating disorder symptoms and anxiety among adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
LifeMany individuals diagnosed with terminal conditions often suffer from anxiety and depression. Encouragingly, psilocybin therapy has shown promising signs of alleviating these symptoms. Studies have indicated substantial reductions in depression and anxiety among patients with severe cancer diagnoses who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What Should You Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy holds the potential to deliver potent healing results swiftly, potentially offering enduring benefits. Each session is customised to meet individual needs while adhering to specific clinic or trial regulations.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Prior | Initial sessions aim to discuss any fears and treatment goals with a facilitator, forging a solid relationship and secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant takes a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting, reclining, wearing an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and assisted by a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Subsequent | Follow-up sessions offer an opportunity to contextualise the experience with the therapist, thereby assisting in integrating the insights into daily life. | Several sessions over hours |
Recommendations for Undertaking 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 professional guide for a more therapeutic experience.
- Interview potential therapists, enquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic approaches, and proficiency in mental health conditions.
- Be open about your actual 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 thorough disclosure of your medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Communicate your decision to pursue psilocybin therapy with your existing mental health provider and inquire if they are willing to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the need to start with lower doses for safety with your psilocybin therapist, particularly if you’re new to psilocybin therapy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a suitable candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re battling depression, anorexia, alcohol dependence, trying to quit smoking, or dealing with a terminal illness, psilocybin therapy might be worthy of consideration.
However, if you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or these conditions run in your family, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin might exacerbate your symptoms. Similarly, bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally not recommended.
What is the standard dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage usually varies, often starting with lower doses in a therapeutic environment and adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical studies have shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, paired with psychological support, led to a decrease in depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be used to treat PTSD?
This is a rapidly developing area of research. However, the study of MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is further along. Trials with this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is predicted that MDMA may receive approval for PTSD treatment this year.
