People who are grappling with terminal illnesses often experience significant emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential crisis, and a loss of purpose, which can exacerbate the difficulty of their situation.
While existing therapies such as counseling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can provide some relief, they may not be effective for everyone. As a result, researchers are searching for innovative, alternative methods for end-of-life care.
There’s growing evidence suggesting that psychedelic therapy could potentially alleviate existential distress in patients suffering from incurable diseases. According to a review published in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry, psychedelics can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve the quality of life, and alleviate fears related to death among patients with life-threatening conditions.
In an attempt to further investigate the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, Canadians frequently buy shrooms online for research and exploration.
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How Psilocybin Affects the Brain
According to the National Institutes of Health, psychedelics derived from mushrooms are powerful 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 uncovered:
| Researchers | Discoveries |
| 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 hallucinogenic compound naturally found in over 200 species of fungi, may restructure the brains of individuals with depression, potentially leading to a treatment. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between different brain regions in those with depression, possibly assisting them in overcoming excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly decreased 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 a reduction in anxiety |
| Psilocybin therapy has been found to reduce anxiety and depression, bringing about notable improvements in existential distress. The study further noted that these therapeutic effects were directly tied to the psychedelic experience incited by the psilocybin. |
Investigative Study
The UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences researchers validated these findings by conducting 2 studies involving 60 participants, who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Study: All participants were diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression and were given psilocybin.
- Second Study: Participants with less severe depression were kept uninformed about whether they were receiving psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). Regardless, all participants underwent the same psychotherapy.
Scans were performed before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment weakened connections within brain areas linked to depression, such as the default mode, salience, and executive networks. Simultaneously, it bolstered connections to less integrated brain areas.
- The therapy diminished emotional avoidance effects and significantly improved cognitive functioning.
Psilocybin’s effect on brain rewiring persisted for up to three weeks following the second dose. Hence, psilocybin offers a potential alternative solution for depression by restructuring the brain and reducing persistent negative thought patterns associated with the disorder. This suggests that psilocybin operates differently than traditional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Viable Treatment Option
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually accompanied by psychological assistance. This approach is gaining recognition for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in terminally ill patients.
A recent survey conducted by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR aimed to assess 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 five Canadians supports the application of psilocybin in easing existential distress at the end of life.
Lead researcher Michel Dorval noted that studies have shown that psilocybin, used together with psychotherapy, can provide immediate, substantial, and long-lasting relief for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. It’s worth noting that psilocybin-assisted therapy can trigger a deep sense of comprehension and relief that can endure for up to six months.
In addition, the survey indicates that those with experience in palliative care or prior use of psilocybin expressed greater support. Dorval suggested that personal experiences with end-of-life distress might contribute to this receptivity towards unconventional methods.
Despite prevalent prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the research signals an escalating acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The authors predict that these findings will enhance the availability of this innovative therapy.
Further Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized trial featuring 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was found that combining psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer instances of heavy drinking over about eight months compared to a control group undergoing placebo therapy. The group that received psilocybin also drank less alcohol on the days they did imbibe.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
While giving up smoking is known to be exceptionally difficult, a small-scale 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), allowed 10 out of 15 participants to stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience could potentially assist in reshaping a smoker’s self-concept, thereby fostering long-term abstinence.
3. Intervention for Anorexia
New research indicates that psilocybin may be helpful for individuals battling anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant decreases in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-aided psychotherapy.
4. Mitigating Anxiety at the End of Existence
Terminal illness diagnoses often lead to anxiety and depression among many patients. However, there’s growing evidence that suggests psilocybin therapy can help mitigate these symptoms. Studies have demonstrated substantial decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer diagnoses who underwent this therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy offers the possibility of a swift yet potent healing experience, which may confer enduring benefits. Each session is customized to cater to individual requirements and strictly adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | The initial sessions are centered around addressing any apprehensions and treatment objectives with a facilitator, aiming to foster a robust relationship and a safe environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a comfy setting, resting, with an eye mask on, listening to a chosen playlist, and in the company of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Post-session check-ins offer a space to decode the experience with the therapist, thereby assisting in integrating the insights into everyday life. | Several sessions spanning hours |
Recommendations for Pursuing Psilocybin Therapy
- Investigate clinics where psilocybin is legalized 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.
- Screen potential therapists, enquiring about their credentials, experience, therapeutic approaches, and expertise in mental health disorders.
- Be candid about your actual motives for seeking treatment, mental health issues, medical records, and family mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your specific mental health condition and engage with organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for advice and training.
- Disclose your medical and mental health history thoroughly, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Communicate your decision to undertake psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and inquire if they are prepared to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the necessity to initiate with smaller doses for 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 are dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or confronting a terminal illness, you might want to consider psilocybin therapy.
However, if you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or if these conditions run in your family, hallucinogens like psilocybin might exacerbate your symptoms. Similarly, individuals with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally discouraged from this therapy.
What is the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage generally varies, often starting with smaller doses in a therapeutic environment and then adjusting according to individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, accompanied by psychological support, led to a reduction in depression scores for those with treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be used to treat PTSD?
This is a rapidly advancing area of study. Nonetheless, research on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant attributes used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is more developed. Studies on this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
