People grappling with terminal illnesses often experience significant emotional distress, such as depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a feeling of purposelessness, which further complicates their situation.
Despite the advantages of existing treatments like counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), they may not be effective for all. This has prompted researchers to investigate unconventional, pioneering methods for end-of-life care.
A growing body of research suggests that psychedelic therapy could provide a potential remedy for existential distress in patients suffering from incurable diseases. A review featured in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry posits that psychedelics can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve life quality, and alleviate fears associated with death among patients with life-threatening conditions.
To delve deeper into the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, Canadians frequently order shrooms online for investigative purposes.
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How Psilocybin Affects the Brain
The National Institutes of Health classifies psychedelics derived from shrooms as powerful substances that alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s examine what various studies have discovered:
| Researchers | Findings |
| 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 over 200 fungi species, might reconfigure the brains of individuals afflicted by depression, potentially leading to a solution. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between different brain regions in people with depression, potentially aiding them to overcome excessive introspection and brooding. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while improving life quality, the 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 decrease in existential distress. It was also observed that these therapeutic effects corresponded with the psychedelic experience that psilocybin induces. |
Clinical Research
In order to corroborate this, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Study: Psilocybin was administered to all participants who were suffering from treatment-resistant depression.
- Second Study: Participants with less severe depression were unaware if they were given psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also received the same psychotherapy.
Scans were conducted before and after the treatment to study the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment led to a reduction in connections within brain areas linked to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. Additionally, it enhanced connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It lessened the effects of emotional avoidance and significantly improved cognitive functions.
The effect of psilocybin on brain rewiring endured for up to three weeks after the second dosage. Therefore, psilocybin could potentially serve as an alternative treatment for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought processes associated with the disorder. This suggests that psilocybin works differently from traditional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, often combined with psychological support. This approach is garnering recognition for its potential to treat conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress experienced by patients with terminal illnesses.
A recent survey conducted by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR intended to gauge public opinion on the medicinal use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the survey published in Palliative Medicine, almost 4 One in every five Canadians supports the use of psilocybin to ease existential distress at the end of life.
Lead investigator Michel Dorval noted that research shows psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy, can provide rapid, substantial, and lasting relief for people struggling with advanced cancer. It’s important to highlight that psilocybin therapy can trigger a deep sense of understanding and ease that can persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that individuals with experience in palliative care or prior psilocybin use were more supportive. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress might contribute to this openness towards novel methods.
Despite existing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study shows growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care situations. The authors predict that these findings will increase the availability of this groundbreaking 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 found that the combination of psilocybin and psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a placebo therapy control group. The psilocybin group also consumed less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking is infamously difficult, but 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, in combination with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), helped 10 out of 15 participants to stop smoking for a year. A subsequent study proposed that the psychedelic experience may assist in reshaping a smoker’s self-perception, thus encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Treatment for Anorexia
Novel research suggests that psilocybin could be beneficial for those dealing with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant reductions in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety in adults with anorexia who participated in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviation of End-of-Life Anxiety
End of LifeMany individuals diagnosed with terminal diseases suffer from anxiety and depression. Encouragingly, there is significant evidence that psilocybin therapy can help alleviate these symptoms. Studies have demonstrated substantial reductions in depression and anxiety among patients diagnosed with life-threatening cancer who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy possesses the capability to deliver potent therapeutic results swiftly, potentially offering enduring benefits. Each session is customised to address individual needs and adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Prior | The initial sessions aim to discuss any concerns and treatment goals with a facilitator, working towards developing a strong bond and a safe environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting, lying down with an eye mask on, listening to a chosen playlist, and accompanied by a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Subsequent | Follow-up sessions offer an opportunity to reflect on the experience with the therapist, assisting in integrating the insights into daily life. | Multiple sessions spanning hours |
Guidelines for Undertaking Psilocybin Therapy
- Explore 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 beneficial experience.
- Interview potential therapists, enquiring about their credentials, experience, therapeutic approach, and expertise in handling mental health conditions.
- Be honest about your true motives for seeking treatment, mental health status, medical records, and family mental health history.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your specific mental health condition and consult organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Provide a thorough disclosure of your medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to pursue 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 potential need to start with smaller doses for your safety when working with your psilocybin therapist, particularly if you are new to psilocybin therapy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you are dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or coping with a terminal illness, psilocybin therapy might be a suitable option for you.
However, if you have a history or family predisposition to schizophrenia or psychosis, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin could potentially exacerbate your symptoms. Similarly, those with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally advised against this treatment.
What is the standard dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage usually varies, often starting with smaller amounts in a therapeutic context and adjusting based on 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 individuals with treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be utilized to treat PTSD?
This is a quickly developing area of research. However, studies on MDMA, an unconventional psychedelic with stimulant properties used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are more progressed. Trials for this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may get approval for PTSD treatment within this year.
