People grappling with terminal diseases often experience immense emotional upheaval, such as depression, anxiety, existential crisis, and a sense of lost purpose, making their circumstances even more challenging to cope with.
Though traditional treatments like counselling or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be helpful, they might not be effective for everyone. Consequently, researchers have started to investigate alternative, groundbreaking strategies for end-of-life care.
Emerging research suggests that psychedelic therapy could potentially alleviate existential distress among patients with incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry proposes that psychedelics may help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, improve life quality, and lessen fears related to death among patients with severe health conditions.
In a bid to further assess the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, Canadians frequently buy shrooms online for experimental purposes.
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Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterize psychedelics derived from shrooms as powerful substances that alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the serotonin circuits in the brain.
Let’s delve into what various studies have discovered:
| Research Teams | Outcomes |
| 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, may reshape the brains of individuals with depression, potentially 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 doses of psilocybin significantly curtailed depression, anxiety, and fear of death, while enhancing life quality, sense of life’s purpose, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported a reduction in anxiety and depression following therapy with psilocybin, resulting in a notable reduction in existential distress. The study further noticed that the therapeutic effects were directly related to the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
Study in a Clinical Setting
Researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences 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 received psilocybin treatment.
- Second Study. Participants suffering from less severe depression were not informed whether they were given psilocybin or a placebo antidepressant (escitalopram). All participants also participated in the same psychotherapy.
Brain scans were performed before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Research Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced the connectivity within brain regions linked to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also improved connections to less integrated areas of the brain.
- It mitigated the effects of emotional avoidance and resulted in significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The influence of psilocybin on brain rewiring persisted for up to three weeks post the second dosage. Thus, psilocybin offers a potential alternative therapeutic approach for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing ingrained negative thought patterns associated with the disorder. This discovery suggests that psilocybin operates differently compared to conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled administration of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, typically alongside psychological assistance. This approach is increasingly being recognized for its potential to address treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients suffering from severe illnesses.
A recent survey carried out by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR aimed to gauge public opinion on the medical use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the survey results published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4 One in five Canadians supports the utilization of psilocybin as a means to ease the existential distress associated with end-of-life.
Lead investigator Michel Dorval noted that research has shown that psilocybin, when used in conjunction with psychotherapy, can provide quick, substantial, and sustained relief for individuals dealing with advanced cancer. It’s worth noting that therapy involving psilocybin can trigger a deep sense of comprehension and relief that can persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that those with a background in palliative care or prior experience with psilocybin exhibited more support. Dorval suggested that personal experiences with end-of-life distress may influence this receptiveness towards novel approaches.
Despite prevalent prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study shows a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly within end-of-life and palliative care settings. The authors expect these findings to improve the availability of this innovative treatment.
Additional Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
A double-blind, randomized trial involving 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, demonstrated that the combination of psilocybin and psychotherapy resulted in a significant reduction in heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a control group receiving a placebo. The psilocybin group also had lower alcohol consumption on the days they did drink.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
While it’s notoriously difficult to quit smoking, a small pilot study led 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 quit smoking for a year. A subsequent study implied that the psychedelic experience might help reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Potential Treatment for Anorexia
New research suggests that psilocybin may be beneficial 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-facilitated psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
Life
Many individuals diagnosed with terminal diseases often grapple with anxiety and depression. Psilocybin therapy presents a promising solution to alleviate these symptoms. Research indicates significant improvements in anxiety and depression levels among patients with severe cancer diagnoses who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What Can You Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy holds potential for powerful and prompt healing results, potentially offering long-term benefits. Each session is customized to the individual’s needs and adheres to specific clinical or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Prior | The initial sessions aim to discuss any concerns and treatment goals with a facilitator, fostering a robust relationship and safe environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a cozy setting, lying down, with an eye mask on, listening to a chosen playlist, and in the company of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Subsequent | Follow-up sessions offer an opportunity to interpret the experience with the therapist, aiding in the integration of insights into daily life. | Several sessions spanning hours |
Tips for Undertaking Psilocybin Therapy
- Investigate clinics where psilocybin is legally administered and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Choose a clinic that administers psilocybin treatment in the presence of a therapist or a professional guide for a more effective therapeutic experience.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their credentials, experience, therapeutic approaches, and expertise in mental health conditions.
- Be open about your real motivations for seeking treatment, mental health issues, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Consider therapists specialized in your particular mental health condition and consult organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Prioritize full disclosure of your medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to undergo psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and ascertain their willingness to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the necessity to start Your psilocybin therapist might suggest starting with smaller doses to ensure safety, especially if you’re a beginner in psilocybin therapy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the ideal candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re battling issues like depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or dealing with a terminal disease, psilocybin therapy might be worth considering.
However, if you have a past history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or these conditions run in your family, hallucinogens like psilocybin may exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, people with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are usually discouraged from using it.
What is the typical dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage varies, often starting with smaller doses in a therapy context and adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, along with psychological support, resulted in reduced depression scores in those with treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be used to treat PTSD?
This is a rapidly advancing field of study. However, research on MDMA, an unconventional psychedelic with stimulant properties used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is more advanced. Studies on this psychedelic have progressed to phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA will be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
