People grappling with terminal disease often experience significant emotional upheaval, including depression, anxiety, existential dilemmas, and a sense of purposelessness, making their journey even more challenging.
Though conventional treatments such as counselling and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can help, they might not be effective for everyone. This has prompted researchers to investigate novel, alternative strategies for palliative care.
There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that psychedelic therapy could be a potential answer to existential distress among patients with incurable diseases. According to a review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry, psychedelics may ease symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve life quality, and reduce fears associated with death in patients facing life-threatening conditions.
Canadians, keen to investigate the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, often order shrooms online for exploratory purposes.
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Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterizes psychedelics derived from shrooms as potent compounds that can alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin pathways.
Let’s delve into what various studies have disclosed:
| Researchers | Conclusions |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics, such as psilocybin, affect serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A report from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound present in over 200 fungi species, may restructure the brains of those suffering from depression, potentially providing a cure. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances the connection between different brain areas in those with depression, potentially aiding them in overcoming excessive introspection and ruminative thinking. |
| A randomized, double-blind study by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly decreased depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while improving life quality, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| Clinical study from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported a reduction in anxiety and depression following psilocybin therapy, resulting in a significant decrease in existential distress. Additionally, the analysis found that the therapeutic impacts were directly correlated with the psychedelic experience induced by psilocybin. |
Investigative Study
To support this claim, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Study. The study involved participants who were battling treatment-resistant depression, and they were treated with psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants with less severe depression were unknowingly given psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). Each participant also received the same psychotherapy.
Scans were conducted before and after the treatment to assess the results.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connectivity within brain areas related to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. Meanwhile, it increased connections to lesser-integrated brain regions.
- It diminished the effects of emotional avoidance and led to significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The influence of psilocybin on brain restructuring persisted for up to three weeks following the second dose. Therefore, psilocybin presents a promising alternative treatment for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought processes associated with the disorder. This outcome suggests that psilocybin operates differently compared to conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Potential Therapeutic Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled administration of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually in combination with psychological support. This technique is increasingly recognized for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal diseases.
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 survey published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4
One in every five Canadians support the application of psilocybin for mitigating existential distress at the end of life.
Lead investigator Michel Dorval has noted that research has shown that psilocybin, used in combination with psychotherapy, can provide quick, strong, and long-lasting relief for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. It’s important to highlight that psilocybin-based therapy can trigger a deep sense of comprehension and alleviation that can endure for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that those with a background in palliative care or prior experience with psilocybin displayed higher levels of support. Dorval emphasized that personal encounters with end-of-life distress might contribute to this receptivity to unconventional approaches.
Despite prevailing prejudices against psychedelic substances, the study reveals a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in the context of palliative and end-of-life care. The authors expect that these results will improve the availability of this innovative treatment.
Additional Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized trial involving 93 individuals, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was revealed that the fusion of psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in markedly fewer days of heavy drinking over roughly eight months compared to a control group undergoing placebo therapy. The group that received psilocybin also drank less alcohol on the days they did consume.
2. Assistance in Smoking Cessation
Although quitting smoking is infamously difficult, 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, alongside cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), helped 10 out of 15 participants to stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study proposed that the psychedelic experience may assist in reshaping a smoker’s identity, thereby facilitating long-term abstinence.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
Emerging research indicates that psilocybin may be advantageous for individuals battling anorexia. An initial study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant decreases in the symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety among adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviation of End-of-Life Anxiety
Individuals diagnosed with terminal diseases often grapple with anxiety and depression. However, psilocybin therapy presents a beacon of hope, given its potential to alleviate these symptoms. Studies have indicated significant decreases in depression and anxiety levels in patients suffering from life-threatening cancer who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy is capable of delivering potent healing results promptly, which may have enduring benefits. Every session is customized to cater to individual requirements, adhering to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | The initial sessions are dedicated to discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator to establish a robust bond and a secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting, lying down, with an eye mask on, listening to a preselected playlist, and under the supervision of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Follow-up sessions offer an opportunity to dissect the experience with the therapist, facilitating the integration of insights into daily life. | Several sessions spanning hours |
Tips for Navigating Psilocybin Therapy
- Explore clinics where psilocybin is legally sanctioned and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Select a clinic that administers psilocybin therapy under the supervision of a therapist or a professional guide for a more therapeutic experience.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic techniques, and proficiency in handling mental health conditions.
- Be candid about your genuine reasons for seeking therapy, mental health status, medical records, and family history of mental health.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your particular mental health issue 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’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to undertake psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and check if they are open to collaborating with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the need to start If you’re new to psilocybin therapy, we recommend starting with lower doses for safety under the guidance of your psilocybin therapist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is suitable for psilocybin therapy?
If you are battling depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or confronting a terminal illness, you may consider psilocybin therapy.
However, if you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or these conditions run in your family, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin might exacerbate your symptoms. Also, those with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are typically advised against such treatment.
What is the usual dosage of psilocybin for therapy?
The dosage typically varies, generally starting with lower doses in a therapeutic context and adjusting according to individual responses. Clinical studies have indicated that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, aided by psychological support, resulted in reduced depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be employed to treat PTSD?
This is a quickly developing area of research. However, studies on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used in tandem with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are more advanced. Trials on this substance have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
