People battling terminal diseases often grapple with significant emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a sense of lost meaning, which further complicates their difficult situation.
Even though existing interventions like counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can provide relief, they don’t always yield results for everyone. As such, researchers are delving into alternative, groundbreaking methods for end-of-life care.
Emerging research suggests that psychedelic therapy may potentially alleviate existential distress in patients with incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics can help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and lessen death-related fears among those with life-threatening conditions.
To further investigate the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, many Canadians buy shrooms online for their personal research.
[toc]
How Psilocybin Affects the Brain
The National Institutes of Health defines psychedelics from shrooms as powerful substances that alter cognition. They impact mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin pathways.
Now, let’s delve into the insights provided by various studies:
| Researchers | Findings |
| University of Texas Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences | Psychedelics like psilocybin affect serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| Mental Health News Study | Psilocybin, a natural hallucinogenic compound found in over 200 species of fungi, can reconfigure the brains of individuals with depression, potentially providing a remedy. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances the connections between different brain regions in depressed individuals, which may help them break free from excessive self-absorption and introspection. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly decreased depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while improving life quality, the sense of life’s purpose, and optimism. |
| New York University Clinical Trial | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported lessened anxiety. and depression following psilocybin therapy, resulting in a reduction of existential distress. It was also observed in the study that the therapeutic effects were associated with the psychedelic experience provoked by psilocybin. |
Investigative Study
Research was conducted by the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, where 2 studies were carried out involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Study. All participants were diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression and received psilocybin as a part of the treatment.
- Second Study. Participants with less intense depression were not aware if they were administered psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). However, all participants also received the same psychotherapy.
Scans were conducted before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin therapy reduced connections within brain areas related to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also reinforced connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It mitigated emotional avoidance impacts and led to notable improvements in cognitive functioning.
The influence of psilocybin on brain restructuring continued for up to three weeks after the second dosage. Thus, psilocybin offers a potential alternative treatment for depression by altering the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought patterns associated with the disorder. This discovery suggests that psilocybin operates differently from conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Potential Method of Treatment
Psilocybin therapy represents the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually in conjunction with psychological support. This approach is increasingly recognized for its potential to treat depression resistant to traditional treatment, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal illnesses.
A recent survey conducted by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR was designed 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 support the use of psilocybin to help ease the existential distress associated with end-of-life scenarios.
Lead researcher Michel Dorval noted that research has shown that psilocybin, when used in combination with psychotherapy, can provide quick, powerful, and long-lasting relief for people dealing with advanced cancer. He emphasized that psilocybin therapy can trigger a deep sense of understanding and relief, which can persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that those who have experience in palliative care or have used psilocybin before tend to show more support. Dorval suggested that personal experiences with end-of-life distress may contribute to this openness towards such innovative treatments.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study shows a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The authors expect these findings to improve the accessibility of this new form of therapy.
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 combining psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in a significant reduction in heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a control group that received placebo therapy. The psilocybin group also consumed less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Despite the well-known difficulty of quitting smoking, a small pilot study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, indicated that psilocybin coupled with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helped 10 out of 15 participants to stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study suggested that the psychedelic experience could potentially 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 struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant decreases in eating disorder symptoms and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Reduction of End-of-Life Anxiety
A significant number of individuals diagnosed with terminal illnesses wrestle with depression and anxiety. Fortunately, psilocybin therapy has shown considerable potential in easing these symptoms. Studies have reported noticeable reductions in anxiety and depression in patients facing life-threatening cancer diagnoses who have participated in psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy holds great promise in delivering swift and powerful healing results, potentially offering sustained benefits. Each session is customized to the individual’s needs and adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | The initial sessions are geared towards addressing any concerns and setting treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to foster a solid relationship and a safe environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed environment, lying down, with an eye mask on, listening to a chosen playlist, and under the supervision of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Follow-up sessions offer an opportunity to discuss the experience with the therapist, aiding in the integration of the insights gained into everyday life. | Multiple sessions that span several hours |
Tips for Navigating Psilocybin Therapy
- Explore clinics where psilocybin is legal and consider joining a waiting list if needed.
- Choose a clinic that administers psilocybin treatment under the supervision of a therapist or a professional guide to ensure a more therapeutic experience.
- Interview potential therapists concerning their qualifications, experience, therapeutic techniques, and proficiency in managing mental health conditions.
- Be open about your true intentions for seeking treatment, your mental health conditions, medical records, and familial mental health history.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your specific mental health condition and seek advice and training from organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA).
- Provide a detailed account of your medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to undertake 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 necessity to start with smaller doses for your safety under the guidance of your psilocybin practitioner, particularly if you are new to this form of therapy.
Buy Shrooms Online at Shroomyz Canada
At Shroomyz Canada, we acknowledge the potential benefits of psilocybin therapy for mental health conditions such as treatment-resistant depression. Our user-friendly online shop offers a wide range of magic mushroom products, including dried shrooms, shroom edibles, and various strains to meet your needs.
Customer satisfaction is our top priority at our mushroom shop. We provide a safe and reliable online platform for buying magic mushrooms. Explore the wellness benefits of lower doses or venture into higher doses for therapeutic purposes. Experience the transformative power of psychedelics and immerse yourself in the world of mental health with Shroomyz Canada. Place your order for magic mushrooms online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re battling depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or dealing with a terminal illness, you might want to consider psilocybin therapy.
However, if you or your family have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin could exacerbate your symptoms. Also, people with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally advised not to take it.
What is the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage often varies, typically starting with smaller doses in a therapeutic environment and adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical research indicates that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, when combined with psychological support, led to a reduction in depression severity in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be used to treat PTSD?
While this is a rapidly developing research area, studies on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant effects used in psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are further along. Trials concerning this psychedelic have progressed to phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may receive approval for PTSD treatment this year.
