Those grappling with terminal illnesses frequently confront significant emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a feeling of lost purpose, which further complicates their circumstances.
Although existing interventions such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can provide relief, they don’t necessarily work for all. This has prompted scholars to investigate unique, alternative strategies for end-of-life care.
There is a growing body of research suggesting that psychedelic therapy could potentially alleviate existential discomfort in patients with incurable conditions. According to a review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry, psychedelics may ease depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and lessen fears related to death in individuals diagnosed with life-threatening diseases.
In an attempt to further examine the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, many Canadians buy shrooms online for experimental purposes.
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Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterises shroom-derived psychedelics 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 interact with serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound found in over 200 fungi species, could potentially rewire the brains of those suffering from depression, potentially leading to a cure. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between different brain regions in depressed individuals, potentially helping them to combat excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin noticeably reduced depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while improving life quality, sense of life’s importance, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | 60% to 80% of participants reported lowered anxiety and depression after undergoing psilocybin therapy, resulting in a reduction of existential distress. The study further noted that these therapeutic effects were tied to the psychedelic experience generated by psilocybin. |
Clinical Research
To corroborate this, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Study. The participants, all of whom had treatment-resistant depression, received psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants with less severe depression were kept unaware of whether they were given psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also participated in identical psychotherapy.
Scans were conducted before and after the treatment to assess the results.
Results
- Psilocybin therapy reduced connections within brain regions linked to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks, while increasing connections to less integrated brain areas.
- It mitigated the effects of emotional avoidance and resulted in significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The influence of psilocybin on brain rewiring was sustained for up to three weeks post the second dosage. Thus, psilocybin offers a potential alternative treatment for depression by remodelling the brain and lessening entrenched negative thought patterns associated with the condition. This evidence suggests that psilocybin operates differently than conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled administration of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, typically paired with psychological support. This approach is gaining recognition for its potential to treat conditions like treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in terminal illness patients.
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 usage of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the poll published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4 One in five Canadians supports the use of psilocybin to mitigate existential distress towards the end of life.
Lead researcher Michel Dorval noted that recent studies highlight the potential of psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy, to quickly and significantly alleviate the distress endured by individuals with advanced cancer. The therapeutic use of psilocybin has been observed to trigger a deep sense of understanding and relief, effects which can persist for up to six months.
The survey also highlighted that individuals with experience in palliative care or prior use of psilocybin were more likely to support its use. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress could contribute to this receptivity towards alternative treatment methods.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic substances, the research signals a rising acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly within palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The authors predict that these results will promote wider accessibility to this innovative treatment approach.
Additional 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, found that pairing psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer instances of heavy drinking over roughly eight months compared to a placebo group. The psilocybin-treated group also consumed less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Despite the notorious difficulty 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, combined with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), helped 10 out of 15 participants maintain non-smoking status for a year. A subsequent study suggested that the psychedelic experience could potentially help reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby encouraging sustained abstinence.
3. Potential Treatment for Anorexia
Emerging research indicates that psilocybin could be beneficial for people struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study published in May 2022 in Biological Psychiatry noted significant reductions in eating disorder and anxiety symptoms in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-life Anxiety
Living with Terminal Illness
Individuals living with terminal diseases often struggle with anxiety and depression. However, there’s growing evidence suggesting that psilocybin therapy may help mitigate these symptoms. Studies indicate significant reduction in depression and anxiety among patients coping with severe cancer diagnoses who received psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy can potentially deliver impactful healing effects quickly, offering enduring advantages. Each session is customized to meet individual requirements and adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Overview | Duration |
| Before | The preliminary sessions center around discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to foster a robust relationship and a secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting, reclining, using an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and guided by a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Post-session discussions provide an opportunity to explore the experience with the therapist, facilitating the integration of insights into daily life. | Multiple sessions over hours |
Key Points to Consider for Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legal and, if necessary, consider joining a waiting list.
- Choose a clinic that administers psilocybin 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 proficiency in treating mental health disorders.
- Be open and honest about your motives for seeking treatment, mental health concerns, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Opt for therapists who specialize in your specific mental health issue and consider consulting organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Give 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 collaboration with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss dosage, procedure, and the necessity to start or cease other medications with your psilocybin therapist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re battling depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, seeking to quit smoking, or confronting a terminal ailment, you might want to consider psilocybin therapy.
However, if you or your family has a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin might exacerbate your symptoms. Similarly, it is usually not recommended for individuals with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.
What is the standard dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage often varies, typically starting with lower doses in a therapeutic environment and adjusting according to individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, combined with psychological support, leads to a reduction in depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be utilized to treat PTSD?
This is a quickly advancing field of study. However, research on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is more developed. Trials on this psychedelic have progressed to phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
