People with terminal illnesses are often burdened with significant emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a sense of lost meaning in life, making their circumstances even more challenging to cope with.
While established treatments such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can help, they might not prove effective for everyone. This has prompted scientists to investigate alternative, groundbreaking methods for end-of-life care.
There is a growing body of research suggesting that psychedelic therapy could be a potential answer to existential anguish in patients with untreatable diseases. A review published in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry posits that psychedelics can ease symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve quality of life, and alleviate fears associated with death in patients facing life-threatening conditions.
For a more in-depth investigation of psilocybin mushrooms, Canadians often buy shrooms online for research purposes.
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How Psilocybin Affects the Brain
The National Institutes of Health define psychedelics derived from shrooms as powerful substances that can 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 affect serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a natural hallucinogenic compound present in over 200 species of fungi, could potentially restructure the brains of people suffering from depression, potentially leading to a cure. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin boosts connections between different brain regions in individuals afflicted with depression, potentially assisting them in overcoming excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly ameliorated depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while enhancing life quality, sense of life’s purpose, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported reduced anxiety |
Clinical Study
In support of these findings, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Procedure
- First Study. Every participant was dealing with treatment-resistant depression and were given psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants who had less severe depression were unknowing of whether they were given psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All the participants were also provided with the same psychotherapy.
Scans were conducted both before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Findings
- Psilocybin treatment resulted in reduced connections within brain areas related to depression, such as the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also amplified connections to less integrated areas of the brain.
- It lessened the effects of emotional avoidance and brought about significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The influence of psilocybin on the restructuring of the brain lasted for up to three weeks following the second dosage. Thus, psilocybin exhibits potential as an alternative treatment for depression by altering the brain’s structure and reducing ingrained negative thought patterns associated with the disorder. This suggests that psilocybin operates differently from traditional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Prospective Treatment Approach
The administration of psilocybin in a regulated therapeutic setting, often known as psilocybin therapy, generally includes psychological support. This approach is gaining recognition for its potential to treat intractable depression, anxiety, and existential distress among 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 medical 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 application of psilocybin to mitigate the existential distress associated with end-of-life.
The lead researcher, Michel Dorval, noted that studies have shown psilocybin, when used in conjunction with psychotherapy, can provide swift, substantial, and lasting relief for individuals confronting advanced cancer. It is important to highlight that psilocybin-assisted therapy can trigger a deep sense of understanding and relief that can be sustained for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey implies that individuals with experience in palliative care or prior psilocybin use indicated more support. Dorval proposed that personal encounters with end-of-life distress might contribute to this receptiveness to innovative approaches.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, research suggests a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care settings. The authors predict that these findings will enhance the availability of this emerging 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 the integration of psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly less heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a placebo group. The psilocybin group also consumed less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Although quitting smoking is infamously difficult, a pilot study by Johns Hopkins University researchers found that psilocybin, in combination with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), allowed 10 out of 15 participants to stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study suggested that the psychedelic experience might help reshape a smoker’s identity, thus facilitating long-term abstinence.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
New research indicates that psilocybin might be useful for individuals battling anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant reductions in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
Many individuals diagnosed with terminal ailments often grapple with feelings of anxiety and depression. However, psilocybin therapy presents a promising solution to these mental health issues. Studies indicate that this form of therapy significantly reduces depression and anxiety levels in patients diagnosed with life-threatening forms of cancer.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
The potential benefits of psilocybin therapy are immense. This therapy aims at delivering swift and potent healing effects, which could have long-term advantages. Each therapy session is customized to cater to individual needs, adhering to specific clinical or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | The initial sessions are dedicated to discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, fostering a strong bond and creating a safe environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed environment, lying down with an eye mask on, listening to a curated playlist, under the supervision of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Follow-up sessions offer an opportunity to discuss the experience with the therapist, aiding in the assimilation of the insights gained into everyday life. | Several sessions spanning hours |
Practical Tips for 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 guidance of a therapist or a professional guide for a more healing experience.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic techniques, and expertise in mental health disorders.
- Be forthright about your actual motivations for seeking treatment, mental health status, medical records, and family mental health history.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your specific 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 choice to undergo 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 the necessity to commence For those new to psilocybin therapy, it is advised to begin with smaller doses to ensure safety. This approach should be taken in consultation with your psilocybin therapist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is suitable for psilocybin therapy?
Psilocybin therapy may be a consideration if you are dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, smoking cessation attempts, or terminal illnesses.
However, if you have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or psychosis, or these conditions run in your family, hallucinogens like psilocybin could potentially exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, individuals with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally discouraged from using these substances.
What is the standard dosage for psilocybin therapy?
Dosage varies and generally starts with lower amounts in a therapeutic context, adjusting as per individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, when combined with psychological support, led to reduced depression levels in treatment-resistant depression patients.
Can psilocybin be utilized for PTSD treatment?
This is a rapidly advancing research area. Nonetheless, the research on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used in combination with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is further along. Studies on this substance have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may be authorized for PTSD treatment this year.
