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Those grappling with terminal diseases often experience intense emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential fear, and a feeling of lost purpose, which complicates their already challenging circumstances.

Existing interventions such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can provide relief. However, they may not prove effective for everyone, prompting researchers to explore novel, alternative strategies for end-of-life care.

There is growing evidence suggesting that psychedelic therapy could be a potential remedy for existential distress in patients with incurable conditions. According to a review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry, psychedelics can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, improve life quality, and ease fear of death in patients suffering from life-threatening illnesses.

To delve deeper into the potential effectiveness of psilocybin mushrooms, many Canadians buy shrooms online for research purposes.

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Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain

The National Institutes of Health characterise psychedelics derived from shrooms as powerful substances that alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin pathways.

Let’s examine what various studies suggest:

ResearchersFindings
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of TexasPsychedelics like psilocybin affect serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception.
A report from Mental Health NewsPsilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound present in over 200 species of fungi, could rewire the brains of depression sufferers, possibly offering a cure.
Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College LondonPsilocybin enhances connections between different brain regions in individuals with depression, potentially enabling them to overcome excessive self-obsession and rumination.
A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins UniversityHigh doses of psilocybin significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and fear of death, while improving life quality, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism.
Clinical trial from New York UniversityBetween 60% and 80% of participants reported a reduction in anxiety and depression following psilocybin therapy, leading to enhancements in existential distress. The study also noted that the therapeutic benefits were correlated with the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin.
effects on anxiety and depression.

Clinical Research

To support this, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.

Methodology

  • First Study. All participants were dealing with treatment-resistant depression and were given psilocybin.
  • Second Study. Participants with less severe depression were not informed whether they received psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also received the same psychotherapy.

Scans were conducted before and after treatment to assess the effects.

Results

  • Psilocybin treatment decreased 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 reduced emotional avoidance tendencies and led to significant improvements in cognitive functioning.

The impact of psilocybin on brain rewiring remained for up to three weeks following the second dosage. Therefore, psilocybin represents a potential alternative solution for depression by restructuring the brain and reducing ingrained negative thought patterns associated with the condition. This result suggests that psilocybin operates differently from conventional antidepressants.  

Psilocybin Therapy – A Potential Treatment Approach

Psilocybin therapy involves 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.

A recent survey conducted 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 study published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4 One in every five Canadians supports the use of psilocybin for reducing existential stress at the end of life.

Lead investigator Michel Dorval has noted that research has shown psilocybin, when used in conjunction with psychotherapy, can provide individuals with advanced cancer quick, strong, and long-lasting relief. It’s significant that psilocybin-assisted therapy can stimulate a deep sense of understanding and comfort that can persist for up to six months.

Moreover, the survey indicates an elevated level of support among those with palliative care experience or prior exposure to psilocybin. Dorval suggests personal encounters with end-of-life distress may contribute to this openness towards innovative treatment approaches.

Despite prevalent prejudices against psychedelic substances, the research suggests a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly within the context of palliative and end-of-life care. The authors predict that these results will improve 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 subjects, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was found that the combination of psilocybin and psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer episodes of heavy drinking over approximately eight months compared to a control group undergoing placebo therapy. The group that received psilocybin also drank less alcohol on the days they chose to drink.

2. Assistance in Smoking Cessation

While it’s well-known that quitting smoking is a difficult task, a small preliminary study conducted by scientists at Johns Hopkins University, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, suggested that psilocybin, in conjunction with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), enabled 10 out of 15 participants to abstain from smoking for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience could potentially restructure a smoker’s self-image, thereby encouraging long-term abstinence.

3. Treatment for Anorexia

New research suggests that psilocybin could be beneficial for individuals struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant reductions in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.

4. Mitigating End-of-Life Anxiety

Life

Anxiety and depression are common experiences for patients diagnosed with terminal illnesses. Encouragingly, psilocybin therapy appears to offer relief from these symptoms. Studies have demonstrated significant reductions in depression and anxiety among patients with life-threatening cancer diagnoses who have undergone psilocybin therapy.

What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?

Each psilocybin therapy session is specifically designed to meet individual needs and adheres to the guidelines of the respective clinic or trial. This therapy has the potential to deliver impactful healing results swiftly, which may provide long-lasting benefits.

PhaseDescriptionDuration
BeforeThe initial sessions aim to build a strong relationship and a safe environment by discussing any concerns and treatment goals with a facilitator.1 to 6 hours
DuringThe participant takes a dose of psilocybin in a comfortable setting, lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to specific music, and accompanied by a therapist.5 to 8 hours
AfterFollow-up sessions offer an opportunity to discuss the experience with the therapist, thereby assisting in integrating the insights into day-to-day life.Multiple sessions, each lasting several hours

Guidelines for Undertaking Psilocybin Therapy

  • Investigate clinics where psilocybin is legal, and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
  • Choose a clinic that provides psilocybin treatment under the supervision of a therapist or a professional guide to ensure a therapeutic experience.
  • Interview potential therapists about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic approaches, and expertise in dealing with mental health conditions.
  • Be open about your motivations for seeking treatment, any mental health issues, medical history, and family mental health background.
  • Consider therapists who specialize in your specific mental health condition and consult with organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for advice and training.
  • Thoroughly disclose your medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
  • Discuss your decision to pursue 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 any potential need to start with lower amounts for your safety, particularly if you are new to psilocybin therapy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes a suitable 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. Likewise, individuals with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder are usually advised against it.

What is the usual dosage for psilocybin in therapy?

The dosage typically varies, often starting with lower amounts in a therapeutic setting, and adjusting according to individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, paired with psychological support, led to a decrease in depression scores in individuals with treatment-resistant depression.

Can psilocybin be utilized to treat PTSD?

This is a rapidly advancing area of research. However, studies on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are more developed. Trials on this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment this year.

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