People grappling with life-threatening diseases often experience significant psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, existential dilemmas, and a loss of purpose, which further complicates their predicament.
While conventional treatments such as counselling and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can provide some relief, they may not be effective for all. This has prompted researchers to investigate novel and unconventional approaches to end-of-life care.
Emerging research suggests that psychedelic therapy could offer a potential solution for addressing existential anguish in patients with incurable illnesses. A review featured in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics may help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and lessen fear related to death in patients with terminal illnesses.
In a bid to further examine the potential of psilocybin mushrooms, many Canadians buy shrooms online for personal exploration.
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Psilocybin’s Influence on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health identify psychedelics derived from mushrooms as powerful substances that can alter cognition. They impact mood and perception by interacting with serotonin circuits in the brain.
Let’s delve into what various studies have to say:
| 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 study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound found in more than 200 species of fungi, could potentially restructure the brains of individuals with depression, possibly offering a cure. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin can improve connections between different brain regions in individuals with depression, potentially assisting them in overcoming excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind study by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly diminished depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while improving quality of life, sense of meaning in life, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported reduced anxiety and depression after undergoing psilocybin therapy. This led to a noticeable reduction in existential distress. The study also found a connection between the therapeutic effects and the psychedelic experience that psilocybin induces. |
The Clinical Trial
The UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences’ researchers validated these findings by conducting 2 studies involving 60 participants, who underwent fMRI brain scans.
The Procedure
- First Study. Participants, all suffering from treatment-resistant depression, were given psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants with less severe depression were not informed whether they were given psilocybin or a placebo antidepressant (escitalopram). All participants received the same psychotherapy.
Scans were performed before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
The Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connections within brain areas related to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also enhanced connections to less integrated regions of the brain.
- It reduced the effects of emotional avoidance and significantly improved cognitive functioning.
The effects of psilocybin on brain rewiring were observed to last for up to three weeks after the second dose. Therefore, psilocybin offers a potential alternative treatment for depression by restructuring the brain and reducing negative thought processes associated with the condition. This evidence suggests that psilocybin works differently than conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually along with psychological support. This approach is being increasingly recognized for its potential to treat conditions like treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal illnesses.
Recently, a survey was conducted by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR. The goal was to gauge public opinion on the medicinal use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the findings published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4
One in five Canadians supports the application of psilocybin in mitigating existential distress at the end of life.
Lead investigator Michel Dorval noted that research has shown that psilocybin, when used in combination with psychotherapy, can provide quick, robust, and long-lasting relief to individuals grappling with advanced cancer. It’s important to note that psilocybin therapy can induce a deep sense of understanding and respite that may persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that those with prior exposure to palliative care or psilocybin usage demonstrated enhanced support. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress may play a role in this receptivity to such innovative approaches.
Despite the prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the research underscores a growing approval of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly within the context of palliative and end-of-life care. The authors predict that these insights will promote the accessibility of this emerging therapy.
Further 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 revealed that the integration of psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly reduced heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a control group undergoing placebo therapy. The group that received psilocybin also ingested less alcohol on the days they did consume alcohol.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking is infamously difficult, but a small-scale pilot study carried out by investigators at Johns Hopkins University, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, suggested that psilocybin, in combination with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), allowed 10 out of 15 participants to maintain a smoke-free lifestyle for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience might help reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
Emergent research suggests that psilocybin could prove useful for individuals battling anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported notable 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. Encouragingly, psilocybin therapy shows potential in easing these symptoms. Research indicates significant reduction in anxiety and depression among patients diagnosed with life-threatening cancers, following their participation in psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy offers promising and quick healing results, with the potential for long-term benefits. Every session is customized to meet individual requirements, adhering to specific clinic rules or trial guidelines.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | Initial sessions aim to discuss any concerns and treatment goals with a facilitator, fostering a strong bond and secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting, lying down, using 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 dissect the experience with the therapist, facilitating the integration of insights into daily life. | Several sessions over a period of time |
Guidelines for Undertaking Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legally administered, and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Choose a clinic that offers psilocybin treatment under the supervision of a therapist or professional guide for an enhanced therapeutic outcome.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic approaches, and specializations in mental health conditions.
- Be open and honest about your motivations for seeking treatment, existing mental health issues, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your specific mental health condition and consult organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Furnish 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 engage in 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 necessity to begin with lower doses for safety under the guidance of your psilocybin therapist, especially if you’re embarking on psilocybin therapy for the first time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is suitable for psilocybin therapy?
If you are dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or confronting a terminal disease, you might consider psilocybin therapy.
However, if you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or these conditions run in your family, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin could exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, individuals with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally advised against it.
What is the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage typically varies, often starting with smaller doses in a therapeutic environment and adjusting according to individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, administered with psychological support, led to a reduction in depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be utilized to treat PTSD?
This is a rapidly advancing area of research. However, studies on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used in combination with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are more advanced. Trials on this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
