People grappling with life-threatening diseases frequently experience significant emotional distress, including feelings of depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a loss of purpose, which further complicates their situation.
Existing therapies like counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can provide relief, but they may not be effective for everyone. This has prompted researchers to seek innovative, alternative methods for end-of-life care.
A growing body of evidence suggests that psychedelic therapy could potentially address the existential distress experienced by patients with terminal illnesses. A review published in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics may reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and ease fears related to death in patients with serious health 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 mushrooms as powerful compounds that alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin pathways.
Let’s examine what various studies have discovered:
| Researchers | Findings |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics like 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 species of fungi, may restructure the brains of individuals with depression, potentially leading to a breakthrough treatment. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between different brain regions in individuals with depression, potentially helping them overcome excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fear of death, while improving quality of life, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported a decrease in anxiety |
The Clinical Trial
Researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants. Each participant underwent fMRI brain scans before and after the treatment.
Study Process
- Study One. Psilocybin was administered to all participants, all of whom were suffering from treatment-resistant depression.
- Study Two. Participants with less severe depression were not aware if they received psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also went through the same psychotherapy.
The impacts were evaluated by comparing the pre and post-treatment scans.
Result Analysis
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connections within brain areas related to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also increased connections to less integrated brain regions.
- Psilocybin resulted in a decrease in emotional avoidance and significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The effect of psilocybin on brain rewiring was found to be persistent for up to three weeks after the second dosage. This suggests that psilocybin could potentially be an alternative treatment for depression by restructuring the brain and reducing negative thought patterns associated with the condition. This discovery indicates that psilocybin works differently than conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Potential Therapeutic Approach
Psilocybin therapy is the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually combined with psychological support. It’s being recognized for its potential to treat 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 determine public opinion on the medicinal 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 relieve existential distress at the end of life.
The lead researcher, Michel Dorval, noted that research has shown that psilocybin, when used alongside psychotherapy, can rapidly and significantly provide lasting relief for those grappling with advanced cancer. It’s worth highlighting that psilocybin therapy can stimulate a deep sense of comprehension and respite, which can endure for up to six months.
Moreover, the study indicates that those with a background in palliative care or prior psilocybin use expressed more support. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life anxiety could contribute to this receptivity towards pioneering approaches.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the research suggests a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The authors expect that these findings will facilitate the availability of this innovative 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, the data revealed that coupling psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly less heavy drinking days over approximately eight months in comparison to a control group undergoing placebo therapy. The group administered with psilocybin also consumed a reduced amount of alcohol on the days they drank.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
While giving up smoking is infamously difficult, 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, combined with cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), helped 10 out of 15 participants to abstain from smoking for a year. A subsequent study implied that the psychedelic experience could potentially reshape a smoker’s identity, thus fostering long-term abstinence.
3. Anorexia Treatment
Emergent research suggests that psilocybin may be beneficial for individuals afflicted by anorexia. A preliminary study released in May 2022 in Biological Psychiatry demonstrated significant decreases in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Reducing End-of-life Anxiety
Living with Terminal Illness
Those diagnosed with terminal diseases often grapple with feelings of anxiety and depression. Promisingly, research indicates that psilocybin therapy may offer a means of easing these symptoms. Studies have documented marked decreases in anxiety and depression among patients with terminal cancer who have undergone psilocybin treatment.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy can deliver potent therapeutic results rapidly, potentially yielding enduring benefits. Each session is customized to the needs of the individual and adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Beforehand | Initial sessions aim to discuss concerns and therapeutic goals with a facilitator, fostering a trust-based relationship and a secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting, reclining, wearing an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and accompanied by a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Afterwards | Post-therapy sessions offer an opportunity to reflect on the experience with the therapist, aiding in the integration of insights into daily life. | Several sessions lasting hours |
Guidelines for Pursuing Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legal 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 therapeutic outcome.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic approaches, and proficiency in mental health disorders.
- Be candid about your precise motives for seeking treatment, mental health problems, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your particular mental health issue and consult associations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and education.
- Offer a thorough account of your medical and mental health history, especially if there is a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to undertake psilocybin therapy with your existing mental health provider and inquire if they are willing to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the necessity to initiate When beginning your journey with psilocybin therapy, we recommend starting with smaller doses as a safety measure, particularly for those who are new to this form of treatment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, seeking to quit smoking, or confronting a terminal disease, psilocybin therapy might be a viable option for you.
However, if you have a family history or personal experience with schizophrenia or psychosis, psilocybin and similar hallucinogenic substances could potentially exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, individuals with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder are generally not recommended for this therapy.
What is the standard psilocybin dosage in therapy?
The dosage often varies and typically starts low in a therapeutic context, adjusting as per individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, in conjunction with psychological support, led to a decrease in depression scores among individuals with treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be utilized to treat PTSD?
This area of study continues to evolve rapidly. However, research on MDMA, an unconventional psychedelic with stimulant properties used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is more progressed. Clinical trials have reached phase 3 for this psychedelic, and it is projected that MDMA may receive approval for PTSD treatment within the year.
