People with terminal illnesses frequently grapple with intense emotional challenges, including depression, anxiety, existential distress, and a loss of purpose, which can compound the difficulty of their circumstances.
While traditional treatments such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) offer some relief, they don’t work for everyone. This has prompted investigations into unique and unorthodox approaches to palliative care.
An emerging body of research suggests that psychedelic therapy might offer a means of easing existential suffering for patients battling incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics can help mitigate symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve quality of life, and alleviate death-related fears in patients with life-threatening conditions.
Canadians often buy shrooms online to further investigate the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms in this context.
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Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health categorizes psychedelics derived from shrooms as powerful substances that can alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s delve into the findings from various studies:
| Researchers | Discoveries |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin impact serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A report from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a natural hallucinogenic compound found in more than 200 fungi species, has the potential to reprogram the brains of individuals with depression, potentially leading to a remedy. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin can enhance the connection between various brain regions in individuals with depression, possibly aiding them in overcoming self-absorption and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind study by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin notably reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fear of death, while increasing the quality of life, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| A clinical trial conducted by New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported a decrease in anxiety. and depression following psilocybin therapy, leading to a reduction in existential distress. The study further found a connection between the therapeutic effects and the psychedelic experiences triggered by psilocybin. |
Clinical Research
Researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences undertook 2 studies involving 60 participants, all of whom underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Study: Participants were all dealing with treatment-resistant depression and received psilocybin treatment.
- Second Study: Participants with less severe depression were not informed whether they were given psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). Each participant also participated in the same psychotherapy.
Pre-treatment and post-treatment scans were conducted to assess the outcomes.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced the connections within brain areas linked with depression, such as the default mode, salience, and executive networks. Simultaneously, it fortified connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It alleviated emotional avoidance and brought about significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The effect of psilocybin on brain restructuring lasted up to three weeks after the second dose. Thus, psilocybin displays a potential alternative solution for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing deep-rooted negative thought patterns associated with the condition. This finding signifies that psilocybin operates differently from conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – An Emerging Treatment Option
Psilocybin therapy refers to the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually combined with psychological support. This approach is gaining recognition for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in terminally ill patients.
In a recent survey conducted by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR, they aimed to gauge public opinion on the medical use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the survey published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4
One in five Canadians supports the use of psilocybin to mitigate the existential distress associated with the end of life.
Lead researcher Michel Dorval noted that research has shown that psilocybin, when used alongside psychotherapy, can provide quick, substantial, and lasting relief for those grappling with advanced cancer. He emphasized that psilocybin therapy can trigger deep comprehension and comfort that may persist for up to six months.
Besides, the survey indicates that individuals with experience in palliative care or prior psilocybin use demonstrated more support. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress could contribute to this receptivity to unconventional approaches.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the research points to a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in the context of palliative and end-of-life care. The authors hope that these findings will improve the accessibility of this innovative treatment.
Additional Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized trial involving 93 individuals, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was revealed that combining psilocybin with psychotherapy significantly reduced the number of heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a placebo group. The psilocybin group also drank less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Aid 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 remain smoke-free 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 be advantageous for those struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported notable decreases in eating disorder symptoms and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviation of End-of-Life Anxiety
Living with Terminal Illness
Terminal illnesses often induce feelings of anxiety and depression in patients. Encouragingly, psilocybin therapy shows promise in reducing these negative emotional states. Studies have noted considerable decreases in anxiety and depression among terminally ill cancer patients who have undergone this form of therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy offers the potential for profound and quick healing, possibly leading to enduring benefits. Each session is customized to the individual’s needs and strictly adheres to the guidelines of the clinic or trial involved.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | The initial sessions aim to establish a secure and trusting environment by discussing fears and treatment goals with the facilitator. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a serene setting, reclining, wearing an eye mask, listening to a hand-picked playlist, under the supervision of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Subsequent sessions offer an opportunity to discuss and interpret the experience with the therapist, aiding in the integration of insights into daily life. | Several sessions over a few hours |
Tips for Undertaking Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legally sanctioned and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Choose a clinic that administers psilocybin treatment under the supervision of a therapist or a professional guide for a more beneficial experience.
- Interview potential therapists regarding their qualifications, experience, therapeutic techniques, and proficiency in handling mental health disorders.
- Be forthcoming about your real motivations 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 organizations such as the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Provide a thorough account of your medical and mental health history, especially if there is a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your choice to undertake psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and inquire if they are willing to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the necessity to commence
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who could benefit from psilocybin therapy?
Those struggling with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, smoking cessation, or dealing with a terminal illness might find psilocybin therapy beneficial.
However, if you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or these conditions run in your family, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin might exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, it’s generally advised that those with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder avoid such treatment.
What is the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
Dosage typically varies, starting with lower doses in a therapeutic environment and adjusting according to individual responses. Clinical studies suggest that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, combined with psychological support, can lead to reduced depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be utilized for PTSD treatment?
Research in this area is constantly evolving. However, studies on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are further along. MDMA has reached phase 3 clinical trials and is expected to gain approval for PTSD treatment this year.
