People grappling with fatal diseases often experience significant emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential crisis, and a sense of aimlessness, adding complexity to their already challenging situation.
Though current treatments such as counseling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can be helpful, they don’t always yield results for everyone. Consequently, researchers are investigating alternative, creative methods of end-of-life care.
Mounting research suggests that psychedelic therapy might be a potential answer to alleviate existential anxiety in patients suffering from incurable ailments. According to a review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry, psychedelics can help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, boost quality of life, and lessen the fear of death in patients with life-threatening diseases.
Many Canadians, in an effort to explore the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, often order shrooms online.
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Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health define psychedelics derived from shrooms as powerful substances that can alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s look at what various studies have discovered:
| Researchers | Findings |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin impact serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| Mental Health News Study | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound present in over 200 fungi species, might reprogram the brains of those dealing with depression, potentially leading to a remedy. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin fortifies connections between different 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 lowered depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while improving quality of life, sense of life’s purpose, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported reduced anxiety and depression after undergoing psilocybin therapy, which resulted in decreases in existential distress. The study also ascertained that these therapeutic effects were directly related to the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
Clinical Research
Researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants, all of whom underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- Study One. All participants were diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression and were given psilocybin as a treatment method.
- Study Two. Participants with less severe depression were not informed whether they were given psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also participated in the same psychotherapy.
Scans were performed before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin therapy weakened connections within brain areas related to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also bolstered connections to less integrated brain regions.
- The therapy reduced effects of emotional avoidance and significantly improved cognitive functioning.
The effect of psilocybin on brain rewiring lasted for up to three weeks following the second dose. Therefore, psilocybin represents a potential alternative treatment for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing persistent negative thought patterns associated with the illness. This discovery suggests that psilocybin works differently compared to conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy: A Possible Therapeutic Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the supervised use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually paired with psychological support. It is increasingly recognized for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress among patients with terminal illnesses.
A recent survey led 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 for easing existential distress at the end of life.
Lead researcher Michel Dorval noted that research has shown that psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy, can provide quick, strong, and long-lasting relief for people dealing with advanced cancer. It’s worth noting that psilocybin therapy can trigger a deep sense of understanding and relief that can persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that those with experience in palliative care or prior psilocybin use showed more support. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress might contribute to this receptiveness towards innovative approaches.
Despite the 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 that these results will improve the availability of this emerging therapy.
Further Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized trial involving 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was found that combining psilocybin with psychotherapy significantly reduced the number of heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a control group that received a placebo therapy. The psilocybin-treated group also drank less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking is notoriously difficult, but a small-scale pilot study by Johns Hopkins University researchers, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, suggested that psilocybin, in combination with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), enabled 10 out of 15 participants to stay smoke-free for one year. A subsequent study proposed that the psychedelic experience might help reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Treatment for Anorexia
New research indicates that psilocybin may be helpful for individuals struggling with anorexia. An initial study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported considerable reductions in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety in adults with anorexia who received psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
Living with Terminal Illnesses
A significant number of individuals diagnosed with terminal illnesses suffer from anxiety and depression. There is growing evidence to suggest that psilocybin therapy can help ease these symptoms. Studies have demonstrated notable reductions in depression and anxiety among patients diagnosed with life-threatening cancer who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy holds the potential to deliver potent healing results promptly and may offer enduring benefits. Each session is customized to meet individual requirements and adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Stage | Details | Length |
| Preparation | The initial sessions focus on discussing any concerns and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to establish a solid relationship and secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| Implementation | The participant takes a dose of psilocybin in a relaxing environment, lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and accompanied by a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Follow-up | Post-treatment sessions offer a space to discuss the experience with the therapist, aiding in the integration of insights into daily life. | Multiple sessions over several hours |
Guidelines for Approaching Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legal and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Choose a clinic that provides psilocybin treatment under the guidance of a therapist or a professional guide for a more beneficial experience.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic approaches, and expertise in mental health disorders.
- Be open and honest about your specific reasons for seeking treatment, any mental health issues, medical history, and any family history of mental health conditions.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your particular mental health condition and consult organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Provide a detailed account of your medical and mental health history, especially if there is a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to undergo 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 the need to initiate with lower doses for safety under the guidance of your psilocybin therapist, particularly if you’re a beginner in psilocybin therapy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate 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 explore psilocybin therapy.
However, if you have a past history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or if these conditions run in your family, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin might exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, individuals with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally advised not to use these substances.
What is the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage generally varies, typically starting with lower doses in a therapeutic environment and adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical research has found that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, combined with psychological support, leads to a reduction in depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be used to treat PTSD?
This is a quickly advancing area of research. However, studies on MDMA, an unconventional psychedelic with stimulant properties used in combination with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are further along. Phase 3 clinical trials for this psychedelic are underway, and it is expected that MDMA may receive approval for PTSD treatment this year.
