People with terminal illnesses frequently grapple with significant emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential crises, and a feeling of loss of purpose, which exacerbates their already challenging circumstances.
Despite the potential benefits of established treatments such as counselling and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), they might not be effective for all. Consequently, researchers are delving into novel and alternative approaches to end-of-life care.
There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that psychedelic therapy could be a viable option for addressing existential distress in patients with incurable diseases. According to a review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry, psychedelics may mitigate symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve quality of life, and help individuals with life-threatening conditions cope with their fears related to death.
In a bid to further investigate the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, Canadians are often seen purchasing shrooms online for research purposes.
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How Psilocybin Affects the Brain
The National Institutes of Health classifies psychedelics derived from shrooms as potent agents that can alter cognition. They impact mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s delve into what various studies have found:
| Researchers | Findings |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin interact with serotonin 2A receptors that govern emotions and perception. |
| A study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a hallucinogenic compound naturally present in over 200 types of fungi, may help restructure the brains of individuals dealing with depression, potentially leading to a remedy. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between different regions of the brain in depressed people, possibly aiding them in overcoming excessive introspection and overthinking. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High dosages of psilocybin significantly eased depression, anxiety, and fear of death, 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 decrease in anxiety and depression following psilocybin therapy have shown significant improvements in existential distress. The study further revealed that these therapeutic effects were directly connected to the psychedelic experience that psilocybin induces. |
Investigative Study
The UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences’ researchers have conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants, all of whom underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Study. Psilocybin was administered to all participants who were battling treatment-resistant depression.
- Second Study. Participants with less severe depression were not informed if they received psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). Regardless, all participants received the same psychotherapy.
Scans were performed before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Outcomes
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connections within brain regions tied to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also increased connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It lessened the effects of emotional avoidance and brought about significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The effect of psilocybin on brain rewiring remained for up to three weeks following the second dosage. Therefore, psilocybin could potentially provide an alternative solution for depression by reconfiguring the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought patterns associated with the condition. This discovery suggests that psilocybin operates differently than conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled application of psilocybin within a therapeutic setting, generally supplemented with psychological support. This approach is gaining recognition for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in terminally ill patients.
In a recent survey conducted by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR, they aimed to understand 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 using psilocybin to reduce existential distress at the end of life.
Lead researcher Michel Dorval noted that research shows psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy, can provide quick, substantial, and lasting relief for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. It is important to note that psilocybin therapy can trigger a deep sense of understanding and relief, enduring as long as six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates greater support among those with experience in palliative care or prior use of psilocybin. Dorval suggests that personal encounters with end-of-life distress may contribute to this receptivity to innovative approaches.
Despite prevalent prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study reveals a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The authors expect this trend to increase the accessibility of this pioneering treatment.
Further Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
A double-blind, randomized trial that involved 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, revealed that psilocybin combined with psychotherapy significantly reduced heavy drinking days over approximately eight months in comparison to a control group who received placebo therapy. The psilocybin group also drank less alcohol on the days they did consume alcohol.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
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, coupled with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), helped 10 out of 15 participants to quit smoking for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience might play a role in reshaping a smoker’s identity, thereby fostering long-term abstinence.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
Emerging studies suggest that psilocybin may be beneficial for individuals struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported notable reductions in eating disorder symptoms and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviation of End-of-Life Anxiety
End of LifePeople diagnosed with terminal illnesses often suffer from anxiety and depression. However, there’s mounting evidence that psilocybin therapy can help mitigate these symptoms. Studies have recorded remarkable reductions in depression and anxiety among patients with life-threatening cancer diagnoses who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy can potentially deliver powerful healing results promptly, potentially providing enduring benefits. Each session is custom-made to meet individual needs and follows stringent clinic or trial guidelines.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | The initial sessions involve discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator to establish a robust relationship and safe environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant consumes a dose of psilocybin in a relaxing environment, lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a pre-selected playlist, and under the supervision of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Follow-up sessions offer an opportunity to reflect on the experience with the therapist, aiding in integrating the insights into daily life. | Several sessions spread over hours |
Guidelines for Approaching Psilocybin Therapy
- Explore clinics where psilocybin is legal and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Select a clinic that administers psilocybin treatment under the supervision of a therapist or a professional guide for a more beneficial experience.
- Interview potential therapists, enquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic techniques, and specialization in mental health conditions.
- Be open about your true reasons for seeking treatment, mental health status, medical records, and family 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 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 verify if they are willing to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the need to start with reduced dosage levels for safety purposes when embarking on psilocybin therapy, particularly if this is your first experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a suitable candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or confronting a terminal disease, you might want to consider psilocybin therapy.
However, if you have a past history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or if these conditions are prevalent in your family, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin might amplify your symptoms. Likewise, individuals with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally advised against it.
What is the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage typically fluctuates, often starting with smaller doses in a therapeutic context and adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, combined with psychological support, led to decreased depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be used in treating PTSD?
This is a swiftly progressing area of research. However, studies on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are more advanced. Trials on this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
