People grappling with terminal diseases often experience significant emotional distress, including feelings of depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a loss of purpose, which can exacerbate the challenges they face.
While traditional interventions like counselling and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can offer relief, they may not be effective for all. Hence, researchers have been prompted to investigate innovative, alternative solutions for end-of-life care.
There is growing evidence that psychedelic therapy may offer a potential remedy for existential distress in patients with terminal illnesses. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry suggests that psychedelics can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and help alleviate fears associated with death in patients with life-threatening conditions.
In a bid to further examine the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, many Canadians buy shrooms online for investigative purposes.
[toc]
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 have discovered:
| Researchers | Discoveries |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as 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 species of fungi, may restructure the brains of depression sufferers, potentially paving the way to a cure. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances the connections between different brain regions in people with depression, potentially aiding them in overcoming excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly diminished depression, anxiety, and fear of death, while boosting life quality, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported a decrease in anxiety and feelings of depression after undergoing psilocybin therapy, leading to a significant reduction in existential distress. The study also discovered a connection between these therapeutic benefits and the psychedelic experiences triggered by psilocybin. |
Study in a Clinical Setting
To provide evidence for this, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants who were subjected to fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- Study One. All participants who were dealing with treatment-resistant depression received psilocybin.
- Study Two. Participants who had less severe depression were not informed whether they were given psilocybin or a placebo antidepressant (escitalopram). All participants also received the same psychotherapy treatment.
Brain scans were taken before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Discoveries
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connections within brain regions linked to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also enhanced connections to less integrated parts of the brain.
- It mitigated emotional avoidance and significantly improved cognitive functioning.
The influence of psilocybin on brain reconfiguration persisted for up to three weeks following the second dosage. Therefore, psilocybin offers a potential alternative treatment for depression by reshaping 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 controlled administration of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually combined with psychological support. This approach is increasingly being recognized for its potential to treat depression that doesn’t respond to conventional treatments, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal illnesses.
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 medical use of psilocybin in end-of-life care. According to the results published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4
One in five Canadians supports the use of psilocybin to ease the existential distress associated with end-of-life.
Lead researcher Michel Dorval noted that research shows psilocybin, when used alongside psychotherapy, can provide swift, substantial, and lasting relief for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. It’s worth highlighting that psilocybin-assisted therapy can induce a deep sense of understanding and comfort that can persist for up to six months.
In addition, the survey indicates that those with exposure to palliative care or prior use of psilocybin were more supportive. Dorval suggests that personal encounters with end-of-life distress might contribute to this receptivity towards innovative approaches.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study reveals a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The authors expect these findings to facilitate greater access to this groundbreaking treatment.
Further Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized trial with 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, results showed that combining psilocybin with psychotherapy significantly reduced heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a placebo group. The psilocybin group also consumed less alcohol on the days they chose to drink.
2. Assistance in Smoking Cessation
Although quitting smoking is notoriously difficult, a small pilot study 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 stop smoking for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience could potentially reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Anorexia Treatment
Initial research indicates that psilocybin may be beneficial for those struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant reductions in eating disorder and anxiety symptoms in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
Existence
Many individuals diagnosed with terminal diseases often grapple with depression and anxiety. Promising research suggests that psilocybin therapy can help mitigate these feelings. There’s substantial evidence indicating that patients with life-threatening cancer diagnoses who have undergone psilocybin therapy have seen significant reductions in their levels of anxiety and depression.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy may offer:
Our therapeutic approach provides powerful healing quickly, potentially yielding enduring benefits. Each session is personalized to cater to individual needs and adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Stage | Explanation | Timeframe |
| Before | Preliminary sessions are centered around discussing apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to establish a strong bond and safe environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting, lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and under the supervision of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Follow-up sessions offer an opportunity to reflect on the experience with the therapist, aiding in the integration of the insights into everyday life. | Multiple sessions over a period of hours |
Guidelines for Engaging in Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legal and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Choose a clinic that provides psilocybin treatment under the supervision of a therapist or a professional guide for a more beneficial experience.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their credentials, experience, therapeutic approaches, and proficiency in mental health disorders.
- Be open about your genuine motivations for seeking treatment, mental health conditions, medical history, and family 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 training.
- Provide a detailed account of your medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Consult your current mental health provider about your decision to undergo psilocybin therapy and inquire if they are open to collaborating with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the necessity to begin It’s advisable to start with smaller doses when engaging in psilocybin therapy, particularly if you’re a novice. This should be done under the supervision of your psilocybin therapist.
Buy Shrooms Online at Shroom Delivery Canada
Shroom Delivery Canada understands the potential benefits of psilocybin therapy in addressing mental health conditions such as treatment-resistant depression. We offer a wide range of magic mushroom products through our user-friendly online dispensary, including dried shrooms, shroom edibles, and various strains to suit your needs.
We prioritize customer satisfaction at our mushroom dispensary. Our secure and reliable online platform facilitates the purchase of magic mushrooms. Explore the wellness benefits of small doses or delve into larger doses for therapeutic use. Unleash the transformative power of psychedelics and step into the sphere of mental health with Shroom Delivery Canada. Place your order for magic mushrooms online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is suitable for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re battling depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or dealing with a terminal illness, psilocybin therapy could be a viable option.
However, if you have a past history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or these disorders run in your family, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin could exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, those with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder are generally advised against using it.
What is the usual dosage of psilocybin for therapy?
The dosage often fluctuates, typically starting with smaller doses in a therapeutic context and adjusting based on individual responses. Scientific research has shown that a single dose of 25 milligrams of synthetic psilocybin, accompanied by psychological support, led to a reduction in depression scores in individuals resistant to conventional treatments.
Can psilocybin be employed in the treatment of PTSD?
This area of study is rapidly progressing. Nevertheless, research into the use of MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant effects, in conjunction with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment is more developed. Clinical trials of this psychedelic have reached phase 3, and it is predicted that MDMA may receive approval for PTSD treatment this year.
