Individuals grappling with terminal diseases frequently experience intense emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a loss of meaning in life, which further complicates their already challenging circumstances.
Although existing therapeutic interventions such as counselling and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can provide relief, they may not be effective for everyone. This has prompted researchers to investigate innovative, alternative approaches to end-of-life care.
A growing body of evidence suggests that psychedelic therapy could potentially alleviate existential suffering among patients with incurable illnesses. A review featured in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics could reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and lessen death-related fears in patients with life-threatening conditions.
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The Impact of Psilocybin on the Brain
According to the National Institutes of Health, psychedelics derived from shrooms are potent substances with the ability to alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s examine what various studies have discovered:
| Researchers | Findings |
| 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 found in over 200 fungi species, could potentially restructure the brains of individuals with depression, possibly leading to a cure. |
| Researchers at UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin strengthens connections among different brain regions in individuals with depression, potentially enabling them to break free from excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind study by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly decreased depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while enhancing quality of life, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| Clinical study from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported reduced anxiety and depression following psilocybin therapy, leading to improvements in existential distress. It was also observed that the therapeutic effects were associated with the psychedelic experience induced by psilocybin. |
Clinical Research
Supporting this, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Study. All participants were suffering from treatment-resistant depression and were given psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants with less severe depression were unsure if they received psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants underwent the same psychotherapy.
Scans were captured before and after treatment to assess the impacts.
Conclusions
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connections within brain areas related to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also amplified connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It mitigated emotional avoidance effects and brought about significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The effects of psilocybin on brain rewiring remained for up to three weeks following the second dosage. Therefore, psilocybin offers a potential alternative therapy for depression by reconfiguring the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought patterns associated with the disorder. This discovery suggests that psilocybin operates differently from conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, often combined with psychological support. This approach is gaining recognition for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal illnesses.
A recent survey carried out by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR sought to gauge public opinion on the medicinal 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 to manage the existential distress associated with end-of-life.
The main investigator, Michel Dorval, noted that research shows psilocybin, when used in conjunction with psychotherapy, can provide quick, substantial, and long-lasting relief for individuals dealing with advanced cancer. It’s important to highlight that psilocybin therapy can instill a deep sense of understanding and relief that can endure for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that those with a background in palliative care or prior use of psilocybin were more supportive. Dorval suggested that personal experiences with end-of-life distress could contribute to this willingness to embrace new approaches.
Despite existing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study unveils a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The authors expect that these insights will enhance the availability of this innovative treatment.
Further Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized study involving 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was found that the blend 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 was given psilocybin also drank less alcohol on the days they did consume alcohol.
2. Assistance in Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking is notoriously tough, but 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, along with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), helped 10 out of 15 participants to stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience might aid in reshaping a smoker’s identity, thereby fostering long-term abstinence.
3. Anorexia Treatment
New research suggests that psilocybin could be useful for individuals struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant reductions in eating disorder and anxiety symptoms in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Mitigating Anxiety at the End of End of Life
Many individuals diagnosed with terminal conditions often suffer from anxiety and depression. Encouragingly, psilocybin therapy has shown potential in relieving these symptoms. Research indicates significant reductions in both depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy offers the potential to deliver immediate and potent healing effects, which could provide enduring benefits. Each therapy session is customised to the individual’s needs and adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Prior | The initial sessions are dedicated to discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to cultivate a robust and safe environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a serene environment, while lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and under the supervision of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Subsequent | Post-treatment sessions offer an opportunity to discuss the experience with the therapist, which assists in integrating the insights into daily life. | Several sessions lasting hours |
Guidelines for Undertaking 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 supervision of a therapist or a professional guide for an enhanced therapeutic experience.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their credentials, experience, therapeutic approaches, and proficiency in managing mental health disorders.
- Be open and honest about your genuine reasons for seeking treatment, mental health status, medical records, and family mental health history.
- 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 thorough disclosure 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 inquire if they are willing to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the need to start When starting with psilocybin therapy, it’s generally recommended to begin with lower doses to ensure safety, especially if you’re new to the treatment. This advice should be followed under the guidance of your psilocybin therapist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is suitable for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re battling depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, seeking to quit smoking, or facing a terminal illness, psilocybin therapy might be worth considering.
However, if you have a personal or family history of schizophrenia or psychosis, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin could potentially exacerbate your symptoms. Those with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are also generally advised against this therapy.
What’s the standard dosage of psilocybin for therapy?
The dosage often varies, typically starting with lower doses in a therapeutic context and adjusting as per individual responses. Clinical research has shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, combined with psychological support, led to a reduction in depression scores in patients resistant to conventional treatment.
Can psilocybin be utilized in treating PTSD?
This is a rapidly advancing area of research. However, studies on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are further along. MDMA has reached phase 3 clinical trials and is expected to be approved for PTSD treatment within the year.
