People grappling with terminal conditions frequently encounter significant emotional upheaval, including depression, anxiety, existential crises, and a feeling of lost purpose, which further complicates their situation.
Although existing interventions such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can be effective, they fail to provide relief to all individuals. This has prompted researchers to seek out novel and inventive strategies for end-of-life care.
There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that psychedelic therapy may potentially alleviate existential distress in patients with incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics could help relieve depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and lessen fears associated with death in patients facing life-threatening conditions.
To further investigate the potential benefits 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 potent substances that alter cognition. They impact 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 such as psilocybin interact with serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A report from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally-occurring hallucinogenic compound present in over 200 mushroom species, may reconfigure the brains of people with depression, possibly leading to a remedy. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between diverse brain areas in people with depression, potentially aiding them in overcoming excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind study by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while improving life quality, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported reduced anxiety |
| Psilocybin therapy has been observed to have a significant impact on anxiety and depression, reducing existential distress. The study further noted that these therapeutic effects are associated with the psychedelic experience induced by psilocybin. |
Investigative Study
To validate these findings, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies, involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Study Design
- Study One. All participants were battling treatment-resistant depression and were given psilocybin.
- Study Two. Participants with less critical depression were not informed whether they were given psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants underwent the same psychotherapy.
Brain scans were performed before and after treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment weakened connections within brain areas tied to depression, such as the default mode, salience, and executive networks, while enhancing connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It mitigated the effects of emotional avoidance and led to significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The influence of psilocybin on brain restructuring lasted up to three weeks post the second dosage. Hence, psilocybin shows promise as an alternative treatment for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought patterns associated with the disorder. This discovery suggests that psilocybin works differently than conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Potential Therapeutic Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled administration of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually paired with psychological support. It’s gaining recognition for its potential to treat resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in terminally ill patients.
Recently, a survey undertaken by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR aimed to gauge public opinion on the use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the survey published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4 One in every five Canadians supports the utilization of psilocybin to mitigate existential distress at the end of life.
As observed by the chief investigator, Michel Dorval, research indicates that psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy, can provide quick, substantial, and long-lasting relief for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. The impact of psilocybin-assisted therapy is so profound that it can instill a deep sense of comprehension and relief lasting up to six months.
The survey further implies that those with prior exposure to palliative care or psilocybin were more supportive. Dorval suggests this openness towards novel approaches might be influenced by personal encounters with end-of-life distress.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study implies a growing acceptance for psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life situations. The authors predict these results will pave the way for more accessible psilocybin-based treatments.
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 found that the integration of psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer instances of heavy drinking over roughly eight months compared to a placebo-controlled group. Additionally, the group that received psilocybin consumed less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Assistance in Smoking Cessation
Despite the well-known 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 paired with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) enabled 10 out of 15 participants to stay smoke-free for a year. Subsequent research implied that the psychedelic experience may help reshape a smoker’s identity, thus encouraging sustained abstinence.
3. Therapeutic Approach for Anorexia
Recent studies indicate that psilocybin could be advantageous for individuals battling anorexia. A preliminary report published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 revealed substantial reductions in anorexia symptoms and anxiety in adults who participated in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
Existence
Individuals diagnosed with terminal diseases often grapple with anxiety and depression. Encouragingly, there’s growing evidence suggesting that psilocybin therapy can aid in mitigating these symptoms. Studies have demonstrated notable reductions in depression and anxiety amongst patients with severe cancer diagnoses who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy holds the potential to bring about potent healing effects swiftly, possibly offering enduring benefits. Each session is customized to cater to individual requirements and adheres to specific clinic or trial rules.
| Phase | Explanation | Duration |
| Before | Initial sessions are aimed at discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, in order to establish a robust relationship and secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant consumes a psilocybin dose in a comfortable setting, lying down, masked eyes, listening to a chosen playlist, and in the company of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Follow-up sessions offer a platform for the participant to reflect on the experience with the therapist, thereby facilitating the integration of the insights into daily life. | Several sessions spread over hours |
Tips for Navigating Psilocybin Therapy
- Investigate clinics where psilocybin is legal and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Select a clinic that administers psilocybin treatment under the supervision of a therapist or a professional guide to ensure a more therapeutic experience.
- Interview prospective therapists, inquire about their credentials, experience, therapeutic approaches, and proficiency in managing mental health disorders.
- Be open about your genuine reasons for seeking treatment, mental health status, medical documents, and familial mental health history.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your particular mental health condition and seek advice and training from organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA).
- Completely disclose 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 willing to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Talk about the dosage, protocol, and the necessity to start with smaller doses for your safety, especially if you are new to psilocybin therapy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the right candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or confronting a terminal illness, you might want to consider psilocybin therapy.
On the flip side, if you or your family have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin might exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, individuals with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder are generally discouraged from this therapy.
What’s the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage typically fluctuates, generally starting with lesser doses in a therapeutic context and adjusting according to individual responses. Research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, when combined with psychological support, led to a decrease in depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be utilized for treating PTSD?
This is a rapidly growing research area. However, studies on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are more progressed. Trials on this psychedelic have advanced to phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment within this year.
