Individuals grappling with terminal illnesses frequently experience significant emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a feeling of purposelessness, exacerbating their already challenging circumstances.
Although existing therapies such as counselling and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can offer relief, they are not universally effective. This has prompted researchers to investigate new and innovative strategies for end-of-life care.
There is a burgeoning body of research suggesting that psychedelic therapy could provide relief for existential suffering in patients with incurable diseases. A review published in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry posits that psychedelics have the potential to alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and lessen fears associated with mortality in patients with life-threatening conditions.
In an effort to further investigate the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, many Canadians buy shrooms online for research purposes.
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How Psilocybin Affects the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterizes psychedelics derived from shrooms as powerful substances that alter cognition. By interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits, they influence mood and perception.
Let’s delve into what various studies have discovered:
| Research Conducted By | Results |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin interact with serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| Mental Health News Study | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound found in over 200 species of fungi, could potentially restructure the brains of those suffering from depression, possibly leading to a cure. |
| Research Conducted by UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances the connections between different brain regions in depressed individuals, possibly aiding them in overcoming excessive self-focus and ruminative thinking. |
| John Hopkins University’s Randomized, Double-Blind Trial | High doses of psilocybin significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while improving life quality, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| New York University’s Clinical Trial | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported a decrease in anxiety and depression after undergoing psilocybin therapy, thus reducing existential distress. The study further noted a connection between the therapeutic effects and the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
Conducting the Clinical Study
Research was undertaken by the researchers of the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, where 2 studies were conducted involving 60 participants, who were subjected to fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- Study One. All participants were dealing with treatment-resistant depression and received psilocybin as part of the study.
- Study Two. Participants suffering from milder depression were not informed whether they were given psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants were also given the same psychotherapy.
Scans were carried out before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connections within the brain areas associated with depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. Furthermore, it enhanced connections to less integrated brain regions.
- The treatment led to a decrease in emotional avoidance effects and brought about significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The effect of psilocybin on brain rewiring remained for up to three weeks after the second dose. This suggests that psilocybin could be a potential alternative treatment for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing ingrained negative thought processes related to the condition. It also indicates that psilocybin operates differently from conventional antidepressants.
The Potential of Psilocybin Therapy as a Treatment Method
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually in conjunction with psychological support. This approach is increasingly being recognized for its potential to treat depression resistant to other treatments, anxiety, and existential distress in terminally ill patients.
A recent survey carried out by researchers from the Faculty of Pharmacy at Université Laval, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR was aimed at gauging public opinion on the medical use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the survey published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4 One in five Canadians supports the use of psilocybin to mitigate existential distress towards the end of life.
Michel Dorval, the lead researcher, noted that research has shown psilocybin, when used alongside psychotherapy, can provide quick, solid, and long-lasting relief for people grappling with advanced cancer. It’s important to recognize that psilocybin therapy can induce a deep sense of understanding and relief that can endure for up to six months.
Beyond that, the survey indicates increased support among those with palliative care experience or previous psilocybin use. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress might contribute to this openness towards unconventional approaches.
Despite prevalent prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the research highlights a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The researchers foresee that these results will improve the availability of this emerging therapy.
Further Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
A double-blind, randomized trial involving 93 people, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, demonstrated that the combination of psilocybin and psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer heavy-drinking days over about 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. Aid in Smoking Cessation
While it’s widely known that quitting smoking is extremely difficult, 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, in combination with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), helped 10 out of 15 participants to stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience could potentially help reshape a smoker’s self-image, thereby facilitating long-term abstinence.
3. Anorexia Treatment
Emerging research suggests that psilocybin may prove beneficial for those struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant symptom reduction in adults with eating disorders and anxiety who participated in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
Many individuals diagnosed with terminal diseases often grapple with feelings of anxiety and depression. Encouragingly, psilocybin therapy shows potential in easing these symptoms. Studies have reported notable decreases in depression and anxiety among patients with severe cancer diagnoses who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What Can You Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy can potentially
Our therapy brings about potent healing results swiftly, potentially offering enduring benefits. Each session is customized to the individual’s needs and adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | Initial sessions concentrate on discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to establish a solid relationship and secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant takes a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting, lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and being accompanied by a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Follow-up sessions serve as a platform to dissect the experience with the therapist, which aids in integrating the insights into daily life. | A few sessions lasting several hours |
Guidelines for Navigating Psilocybin Therapy
- Seek out 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 journey.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic techniques, and proficiency in mental health disorders.
- Be open about your actual motives for seeking therapy, existing mental health issues, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Give preference to therapists specializing in your specific mental health condition and consult bodies like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Provide a thorough account of your medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to undertake psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and see if they are willing to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the need to start your psilocybin therapist, particularly if you’re new to psilocybin therapy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is suitable for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re battling depression, anorexia, alcohol dependency, trying to quit smoking, or dealing with a terminal illness, psilocybin therapy might be an option worth considering.
Nevertheless, if you’ve a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or these conditions run in your family, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin could exacerbate your symptoms. Additionally, people with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are usually recommended to avoid it.
What’s the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage often varies and typically starts with lower amounts in a therapeutic context, adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, accompanied by psychological support, led to reduced depression scores in patients resistant to conventional treatments.
Can psilocybin be utilized for treating PTSD?
The study of this is rapidly progressing. However, research on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant characteristics used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is further ahead. Trials on this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is projected that MDMA may receive approval for PTSD treatment this year.
