People grappling with terminal diseases frequently confront significant emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential dread, and loss of purpose, adding to the complexity of their circumstances.
While established treatments such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can be helpful, they do not provide relief for everyone. This has prompted researchers to seek out alternative, groundbreaking methods for end-of-life care.
There is growing evidence suggesting that psychedelic therapy could be a potential answer to treating existential distress in patients with incurable illnesses. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry implies that psychedelics have the capacity to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve quality of life, and alleviate death-related fears in patients facing life-threatening conditions.
To further investigate the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, Canadians are increasingly buying shrooms online for research purposes.
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How Psilocybin Impacts 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 interacting with the brain’s serotonin pathways.
Let’s delve into what various studies reveal:
| Researchers | Results |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin affect serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A report from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound found in over 200 species of fungi, may restructure the brains of individuals struggling with depression, potentially paving the way for a cure. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between different areas of the brain in individuals suffering from depression, potentially aiding them in overcoming excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind study by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly decreased depression, anxiety, and fear of death, while improving life quality, sense of life’s purpose, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported reduced anxiety |
| Psilocybin therapy has shown to alleviate anxiety and depression, resulting in mitigation of existential distress. It was also noted that the therapeutic benefits were associated with the psychedelic experience provoked by psilocybin. |
Clinical Investigation
For verification, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Study. All participants, who were suffering from treatment-resistant depression, received psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants with less severe depression were not informed whether they were given psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also participated in the same psychotherapy.
Scans were conducted before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment weakened connections within brain areas associated with depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also fortified connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It reduced emotional avoidance effects and induced significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The influence of psilocybin on brain restructuring persisted for up to three weeks following the second dosage. Therefore, psilocybin offers a potential alternative treatment for depression by reorganizing the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought patterns associated with the condition. This discovery suggests that psilocybin operates differently from conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled 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 illnesses.
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 medicinal use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the survey published in Palliative Medicine, almost 4 One out of every five Canadians supports using psilocybin to ease the existential distress often associated with the end of life.
The head researcher, Michel Dorval, has noted that studies show a combination of psilocybin and psychotherapy can provide quick, powerful, and long-lasting relief for those grappling with advanced cancer. It’s important to note that psilocybin therapy can foster a deep sense of understanding and relief that can endure for up to six months.
The survey also implies that those who have been involved in palliative care or who have previously used psilocybin are more supportive. Dorval suggested that personal experiences with the distress of end-of-life situations could contribute to this receptivity to novel approaches.
Despite prevalent biases against psychedelic drugs, the research suggests a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The authors predict that these findings will improve the accessibility of this innovative treatment.
Additional Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomised trial involving 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was found that combining psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer heavy drinking days over approximately an eight-month period, compared to a control group undergoing placebo therapy. The group that received psilocybin also consumed less alcohol on the days that they did drink.
2. Assistance in Smoking Cessation
Despite the well-known difficulties of quitting smoking, 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, alongside cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), helped 10 out of 15 participants stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study suggested that the psychedelic experience could help reshape a smoker’s identity, thus supporting long-term abstinence.
3. Anorexia Treatment
Emerging research suggests that psilocybin might be helpful for people battling anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant decreases in eating disorder symptoms and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
LifeIndividuals diagnosed with terminal diseases often grapple with anxiety and depression. Encouragingly, there is increasing evidence that psilocybin therapy can effectively mitigate these symptoms. Studies have demonstrated significant decreases in both anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer diagnoses who have participated in psilocybin therapy.
What Does Psilocybin Therapy Entail?
Psilocybin therapy possesses the potential to yield swift and potent healing outcomes, possibly conferring enduring benefits. Each session is customized to suit individual requirements and adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | The initial sessions are centered around discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, with the intent of fostering a robust relationship and a secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant consumes a dose of psilocybin in a relaxing setting, laying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a pre-selected playlist, and accompanied by a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Subsequent follow-up sessions offer an opportunity to interpret the experience with the therapist, thereby facilitating the integration of the insights into daily life. | Several sessions spanning hours |
Advice 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, inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic techniques, and proficiency in handling mental health conditions.
- Be open about your genuine reasons for seeking treatment, mental health challenges, medical history, and familial mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your specific mental health condition and reach out to organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and education.
- 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 undergo psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and inquire if they are open to collaborating with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the need to start
- For your safety, especially if you’re new to psilocybin therapy, it’s recommended to start with lower doses under the guidance of your psilocybin therapist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who can benefit from psilocybin therapy?
If you’re dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol dependence, trying to quit smoking, or confronting a terminal illness, psilocybin therapy might be a consideration for you.
However, if you or your family have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, substances like psilocybin that cause hallucinations could exacerbate your symptoms. Also, it’s usually advised against for those with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.
What’s the usual dose of psilocybin in therapy?
Dosage may vary, typically starting with smaller amounts in a therapeutic environment and adjusting based on individual responses. Research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, along with psychological support, can reduce depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be used for treating PTSD?
While this is an emerging area of study, research on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties, used in tandem with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is further along. Studies on this psychedelic have progressed to phase 3 clinical trials, and it’s expected that MDMA might be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
