Persons grappling with terminal illnesses often confront substantial emotional upheaval, including depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a feeling of lost purpose, which exacerbates the complexity of their circumstances.
Although established treatments such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can be helpful, they do not suit everyone. This has inspired researchers to investigate alternative, inventive methods for end-of-life care.
There is a growing body of research suggesting that psychedelic therapy could potentially alleviate existential anguish in patients with incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry implies that psychedelics can relieve depression and anxiety symptoms, improve life quality, and lessen fears related to death among those with life-threatening conditions.
Canadians often purchase shrooms online to further explore the effectiveness of psilocybin mushrooms.
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Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterise psychedelics derived from shrooms as potent substances with the ability to alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by engaging 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 study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound present in over 200 fungi species, could restructure the brains of individuals with depression, possibly leading to a remedy. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between various brain regions in depressed individuals, potentially aiding them in overcoming excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High dosages of psilocybin considerably 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 decreased anxiety and depression after undergoing psilocybin therapy, leading to a reduction in existential distress. It was also noted that the therapeutic effects were associated with the psychedelic experience that psilocybin induces. |
Study Details
Researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants. These participants underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- Study One. All participants were dealing with treatment-resistant depression and received psilocybin treatment.
- Study Two. Participants, who had less severe depression, were not informed whether they were given psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also participated in the same psychotherapy.
Brain scans were carried out before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Observations
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connections within brain networks linked to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also improved connections to less integrated areas of the brain.
- The treatment lessened emotional avoidance symptoms and significantly improved cognitive functions.
The influence of psilocybin on brain reconfiguration was observed for up to three weeks following the second dose. Therefore, psilocybin could potentially offer an alternative treatment for depression by restructuring the brain and reducing persistent negative thought patterns associated with the condition. This observation suggests that the working mechanism of psilocybin differs from traditional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – An Emerging Treatment Option
Psilocybin therapy, which involves the regulated usage of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, often combined with psychological support, is gaining recognition as a potential treatment for treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in terminally ill patients.
Recently, a survey was conducted by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR to gauge public opinion on the medical use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the findings published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4 Five out of every 25 Canadians support using psilocybin to mitigate the existential distress associated with end-of-life circumstances.
Michel Dorval, the lead researcher, noted that research has shown that when combined with psychotherapy, psilocybin can provide swift, substantial, and long-lasting relief for individuals confronting severe cancer. It’s worth highlighting that psilocybin therapy can spark a deep sense of understanding and relief that can persist for up to six months.
Additionally, the survey indicates that individuals with palliative care experience or previous exposure to psilocybin show more support. Dorval suggested that personal experiences with end-of-life distress may contribute to this receptivity to novel approaches.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the research shows a rising acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in the context of palliative and end-of-life care. The authors expect these findings to boost the availability of this innovative therapy.
Additional Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized trial involving 93 subjects, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was discovered that combining psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer days of heavy drinking 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
Quitting smoking is notoriously difficult, but 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, combined with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), helped 10 out of 15 participants stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience may help reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Anorexia Treatment
Emerging studies suggest that psilocybin could be helpful for those dealing with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant symptom reduction in adults with anorexia who participated in psilocybin-enhanced psychotherapy, including decreased anxiety and eating disorder symptoms.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
Existence
Terminal illnesses often cause patients to experience depression and anxiety. However, there’s growing evidence that psilocybin therapy may help alleviate these distressing symptoms. Studies have revealed remarkable reductions in anxiety and depression among terminal cancer patients who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What To Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy has the potential to deliver powerful emotional healing in a timely manner, and possibly provide 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 conversing about any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to establish a trusting relationship and secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxing setting, lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a preselected playlist, and under the supervision of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Post-session meetings provide an opportunity to discuss the experience with the therapist, which can assist in incorporating the insights gained into daily life. | Several sessions spread over hours |
How to Prepare for Psilocybin Therapy
- Research 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 for a more therapeutic outcome.
- Interview potential therapists, querying about their credentials, experience, therapeutic techniques, and proficiency in mental health conditions.
- Be honest about your real motives for seeking treatment, mental health status, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your particular mental health condition and consult with organizations such as the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Give 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 inquire if they are open to collaborating with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the need to start with modest doses for your safety under the guidance of 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 addiction, trying to stop smoking, or dealing with a terminal illness, psilocybin therapy might be an option to consider.
However, if you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or if these conditions run in your family, hallucinogenic substances such as psilocybin might exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, individuals with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are usually discouraged from using it.
What is the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage typically fluctuates, typically starting with lower doses in a therapeutic environment and adjusting as per individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, combined with psychological support, led to reduced depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be utilized to treat PTSD?
This is a fast-developing research field. However, the research on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used in tandem with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, has progressed further. This psychedelic has reached phase 3 clinical trials, with expectations that MDMA might be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
