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People grappling with terminal illnesses frequently confront substantial emotional challenges, including depression, anxiety, existential angst, and a sense of purposelessness, which compounds the complexity of their predicament.

While conventional interventions such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can prove beneficial, they do not yield effective results for everyone. This has spurred researchers to investigate unconventional, groundbreaking methods for end-of-life care.

Rising evidence suggests that psychedelic therapy could potentially serve as a remedy for existential distress in patients with incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry implies that psychedelics can alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms, enhance the quality of life, and reduce death-related fears in patients grappling with life-threatening conditions.

In order to delve deeper into the efficiency 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 derived from shrooms as potent substances that alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by engaging with the brain’s serotonin pathways. 

Let’s delve into what various studies suggest:

ResearchersFindings
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of TexasPsychedelics like psilocybin interact with serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. 
A study from Mental Health NewsPsilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound present in over 200 species of fungi, could potentially rewire the brains of individuals afflicted with depression, possibly leading to a remedy.
Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College LondonPsilocybin enhances connections between various brain regions in depressed individuals, potentially aiding them to overcome excessive self-focus and rumination.
A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University High doses of psilocybin significantly diminished depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while improving life quality, the sense of life’s meaning, and optimism.
Clinical trial from New York University 60% to 80% of participants reported reduced anxiety
Psilocybin therapy has been observed to result in enhancements in anxiety and depression, leading to better management of existential distress. Furthermore, the study found that the therapeutic effects were closely tied to the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin.

Investigational Study

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

Methodology

  • First Study. Every participant was afflicted with treatment-resistant depression and received psilocybin.
  • Second Study. Participants with less severe depression were not aware if they were given psilocybin or a placebo antidepressant (escitalopram). All participants also underwent identical psychotherapy.

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

Results

  • Psilocybin treatment reduced connectivity within brain regions linked with depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also intensified connections to less integrated brain areas.
  • It led to a decrease in emotional avoidance and significant improvements in cognitive functioning.

The influence of psilocybin on brain restructuring continued for up to three weeks following the second dose. Therefore, psilocybin offers a potential alternate solution for depression by remodeling the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought patterns related to the condition. This discovery suggests that psilocybin operates differently from conventional antidepressants.  

Psilocybin Therapy – An Emerging Treatment Option

Psilocybin therapy encompasses the supervised use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, typically combined with psychological support. This approach is gaining recognition for its potential to address treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal illnesses.

Recently, a survey was carried out by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR to evaluate public opinion on the medical usage 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 to mitigate existential distress associated with end-of-life situations.

Lead researcher, Michel Dorval, notes that when combined with psychotherapy, psilocybin has proven to offer immediate, substantial and long-lasting relief for patients struggling with advanced cancer. Notably, therapy involving psilocybin can induce a deep sense of comprehension and relief enduring up to six months.

Additionally, the survey indicates a higher level of support from individuals with experience in palliative care or previous use of psilocybin. Dorval suggests that personal encounters with end-of-life distress could contribute to this receptiveness towards alternative treatment methods.

Despite prevalent prejudices towards psychedelic drugs, research reflects a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in the context of palliative and end-of-life care. The authors predict that these results will improve the reach of this innovative treatment method.

Further Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy

1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder

A double-blind, randomized trial involving 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, demonstrated that the interplay of psilocybin and psychotherapy significantly reduced heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a placebo group. The participants who received psilocybin also drank less alcohol on the days they chose to drink.

2. Aid 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 combining psilocybin and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helped 10 out of 15 participants maintain a smoke-free lifestyle for a year. A subsequent study proposed that the psychedelic experience might aid in reshaping a smoker’s identity, thus encouraging long-term abstinence.

3. Anorexia Treatment

Recent studies suggest that psilocybin could potentially help individuals battling anorexia. A pilot study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported notable reductions in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.

4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety

Many individuals diagnosed with terminal illnesses suffer from anxiety and depression. Psilocybin therapy shows promising potential to alleviate these symptoms. Studies have demonstrated a significant decrease in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer diagnoses who have undergone psilocybin therapy.

What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?

Psilocybin therapy offers a path to profound healing, potentially providing enduring benefits. Every session is uniquely tailored to the individual’s needs and adheres to specific clinic or trial guidelines. 

PhaseDescriptionDuration
PriorInitial sessions focus on discussing any concerns and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to establish a strong bond and a safe environment.1 to 6 hours
DuringThe participant takes a dose of psilocybin in a comfortable environment, lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and accompanied by a therapist.5 to 8 hours
SubsequentFollow-up sessions offer an opportunity to reflect on the experience with the therapist, helping to integrate the insights into daily life.Several sessions spanning hours

Guidelines for Undertaking Psilocybin Therapy

  • Research clinics where psilocybin is legal and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
  • Choose a clinic that administers psilocybin treatment under the supervision of a therapist or a professional guide for a more therapeutic experience.
  • Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic approaches, and expertise in mental health disorders.
  • Be honest about your genuine reasons for seeking treatment, mental health status, medical history, and family mental health background.
  • Consider therapists who specialize in your particular mental health condition and consult associations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
  • Disclose your complete medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
  • Discuss your decision to engage in 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 necessity to start

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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 confronting a terminal disease, you might want to consider psilocybin therapy. 

However, if you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or these conditions run in your family, psilocybin and similar hallucinogenic substances may exacerbate your symptoms. It is also generally advised against using these substances if you have bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder.

What is the standard psilocybin dosage in therapy?

The dosage typically fluctuates, often starting with lower doses in a therapeutic context and adjusting according to individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, used in conjunction with psychological support, led to reduced depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.

Is psilocybin a viable treatment for PTSD?

The study of this topic is rapidly progressing. Currently, more advanced research has been conducted on MDMA, an unconventional psychedelic with stimulant properties. When used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, it has reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may receive approval for PTSD treatment this year.