Those grappling with terminal diseases frequently experience significant emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a sense of lost meaning, which compounds the complexity of their circumstances.
Despite the benefits of existing interventions such as counselling and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), they may not be effective for all. This has prompted the scientific community to seek innovative and alternative strategies for palliative care.
There is a growing body of research suggesting that psychedelic therapy could offer a potential remedy for existential discomfort in patients with incurable diseases. As per a review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry, psychedelics might help relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve quality of life, and lessen death-related fears in individuals with life-threatening conditions.
To delve deeper into the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, Canadians frequently buy shrooms online for research purposes.
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How Psilocybin Affects the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterizes psychedelics from shrooms as powerful compounds that alter cognition. These substances affect mood and perception by interacting with the serotonin circuits in the brain.
Let’s delve into what various research studies suggest:
| Researchers | Discoveries | |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin interact with serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. | |
| A study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a natural hallucinogenic compound present in over 200 fungi species, might restructure the brains of depression-stricken individuals, ultimately leading to a potential cure. | |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances the connectivity between different brain regions in depressed individuals, potentially enabling them to combat excessive self-focus and rumination. | |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High concentrations of psilocybin significantly diminished depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while boosting 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. |
The Clinical Study
The researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted two studies involving 60 participants who were scanned using fMRI.
Methodology
- Study One. Psilocybin was administered to all participants who were struggling with treatment-resistant depression.
- Study Two. Participants suffering from less severe depression were not informed if they received psilocybin or a placebo antidepressant (escitalopram). All participants received the same psychotherapy treatment.
Scans were performed before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced the connectivity within brain regions associated with depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also enhanced connections to less integrated areas of the brain.
- It mitigated the effects of emotional avoidance and significantly improved cognitive functioning.
The changes in brain connectivity caused by psilocybin persisted for up to three weeks after the second dose. Therefore, by reorganizing the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought patterns associated with depression, psilocybin offers a potential alternative treatment. This suggests that psilocybin operates differently than conventional antidepressants.
The Potential of Psilocybin Therapy as a Treatment
The regulated use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, often referred to as psilocybin therapy, is gaining recognition for its potential in treating resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in terminally ill patients.
Recently, a survey was conducted by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR to gauge public opinion on the medical use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the results published in Palliative Medicine, almost 4 One out of five Canadians supports using psilocybin to ease existential distress at the end of life.
Michel Dorval, the lead investigator, noted that research has shown psilocybin, when used alongside psychotherapy, can provide quick, substantial, and long-lasting relief for patients with advanced cancer. It’s important to highlight that psilocybin therapy can trigger a deep sense of understanding and comfort that can persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that those with knowledge in palliative care or past psilocybin use expressed stronger support. Dorval suggested that personal experiences with end-of-life distress could contribute to this openness to novel approaches.
Despite the current prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study shows a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care settings. The authors expect that these results will increase 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 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was found that the combination of psilocybin and psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer days of heavy drinking over approximately eight months compared to a control group receiving placebo therapy. The group that received psilocybin also drank less alcohol on the days they did consume alcohol.
2. Assistance in Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking is notoriously difficult, but a small pilot study led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, suggested that psilocybin, in combination 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, thus encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
New research suggests that psilocybin could be useful for people struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study released in May 2022 in Biological Psychiatry reported significant decreases in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Mitigating Anxiety at the End of Life
Living
A significant number of patients suffering from terminal diseases often grapple with anxiety and depression. However, there’s mounting evidence indicating that psilocybin therapy could help mitigate these symptoms. Studies have reported substantial reductions in depression and anxiety levels in patients who have been diagnosed with life-threatening cancer and have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What Can You Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy possesses the ability to produce potent healing results swiftly, potentially leading to enduring benefits. Each therapy session is custom-made to cater to individual requirements and abides by specific clinic or trial instructions.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | The initial sessions aim to discuss any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator to establish a trustful relationship and secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting, reclining, with an eye mask on, listening to a pre-selected playlist, and under the supervision of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | The follow-up sessions offer an opportunity to reflect on the experience with the therapist, aiding in integrating the insights into daily life. | Various sessions lasting for hours |
Guidelines for Undertaking Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is permissible and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Choose a clinic that administers psilocybin treatment in the company of a therapist or a qualified guide for a more therapeutic journey.
- Vet prospective therapists by inquiring about their credentials, experience, therapeutic approaches, and expertise in dealing with mental health disorders.
- Be open about your true motivations for seeking treatment, mental health status, medical records, and family mental health background.
- Contemplate therapists who specialize in your particular mental health condition and reach out to organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Disclose your complete medical and mental health history, especially if there is a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Communicate your decision to embark on 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 start Begin your journey to mental wellness with smaller doses of psilocybin under the guidance of a trained therapist, particularly if you are new to its therapeutic use.
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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 dealing with a terminal disease, you may consider psilocybin therapy.
However, if you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or these conditions run in your family, hallucinogenic substances such as psilocybin may exacerbate your symptoms. Similarly, those with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally advised not to use.
What’s the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage often varies, typically starting with lower doses in a therapeutic context and adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, along with psychological support, led to a reduction in depression scores in those resistant to traditional treatments.
Can psilocybin be utilized for PTSD treatment?
The field of study is quickly evolving. However, research on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is more established. Phase 3 clinical trials have been conducted on this psychedelic, and it’s expected that MDMA may be authorized for treating PTSD within the year.
