People grappling with terminal illnesses commonly experience profound emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a sense of lost purpose, which further complicates their circumstances.
Although traditional treatments such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can be helpful, they may not be effective for everyone. This reality has prompted researchers to investigate alternative, groundbreaking methods for end-of-life care.
There is growing evidence suggesting that psychedelic therapy could be a promising option for addressing existential distress among patients battling incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics may help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve life quality, and ease fears associated with death in patients with life-threatening conditions.
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The Impact of Psilocybin on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health categorize psychedelics from shrooms as powerful substances that can alter cognition. These substances regulate mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s delve into what various studies have disclosed:
| Researchers | Findings |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin engage with serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A study from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound present in more than 200 fungi species, could potentially remodel the brains of individuals afflicted by depression, possibly leading to a cure. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between various brain regions in individuals with depression, potentially enabling them to overcome excessive introspection and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin notably alleviated depression, anxiety, and death anxiety, while improving life quality, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported decreased anxiety and depression following psilocybin therapy, leading to enhancements in existential distress management. The study further noted that these therapeutic effects were closely tied 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 for validation.
Methodology
- First Study. All participants were diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression and were treated with psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants with less severe forms of depression were not informed if they were given psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also received the same psychotherapy treatment.
Scans were conducted before and after the treatment to assess the results.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connections within depression-associated brain areas, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. Additionally, it fortified connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It mitigated the effects of emotional avoidance and catalyzed major enhancements in cognitive functioning.
The influence of psilocybin on brain rewiring was sustained for up to three weeks post the second dosage. Thus, psilocybin offers a potential alternative solution for depression by reshaping the brain and eradicating ingrained negative thought patterns associated with the disorder. This discovery suggests that psilocybin operates differently than conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy entails the controlled use of psilocybin within a therapeutic setting, often supplemented with psychological guidance. This approach is receiving recognition for its potential to address treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress among patients with terminal diseases.
Recently, a poll 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 survey published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4
One in five Canadians support the use of psilocybin to mitigate existential distress at the end of life.
Michel Dorval, the lead researcher, noted that research has shown psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy, can provide quick, strong, and lasting relief for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. It’s worth highlighting that therapy involving psilocybin can elicit a deep sense of comprehension and relief that can persist for up to six months.
In addition, the survey indicates that individuals with a background in palliative care or prior use of psilocybin displayed more support. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress could contribute to this openness towards alternative approaches.
Despite prevalent preconceptions about psychedelic drugs, the research suggests a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in the context of palliative and end-of-life care. The researchers expect that these findings will improve the availability of this innovative treatment method.
Other 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, discovered that combining psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer days of heavy drinking over approximately eight months, compared to a placebo control group. The group that received psilocybin also consumed less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Despite the notorious difficulty of quitting smoking, a small preliminary study conducted by Johns Hopkins University researchers, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, indicated that psilocybin, together with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), allowed 10 out of 15 participants to stay smoke-free for a year. A subsequent study suggested that the psychedelic experience might help reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Treatment for Anorexia
Novel research suggests that psilocybin could be beneficial for individuals struggling with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant symptom and anxiety reductions in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
Life
Individuals diagnosed with terminal diseases often grapple with depression and anxiety. However, there’s a growing body of research suggesting psilocybin therapy as a promising solution to these distressing symptoms. Studies have reported considerable reductions in anxiety and depression amongst patients with critical cancer diagnoses who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What Should You Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy holds the potential to deliver immediate, potent healing effects, which could potentially yield long-term benefits. Each session is customized to meet individual requirements and adheres to specific clinical or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | The initial sessions are centered around discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to foster a trustworthy relationship and create a secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a serene setting, reclining, wearing an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and in the company of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Follow-up sessions offer a medium to interpret the experience with the therapist, thereby aiding in integrating the insights into daily life. | Several sessions over a period of hours |
Tips for Navigating Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legalized 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 fruitful therapeutic journey.
- Screen potential therapists by inquiring about their credentials, experience, therapy styles, and proficiency in addressing mental health disorders.
- Be honest about your genuine reasons for seeking therapy, mental health status, medical records, and family mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your particular mental health condition and consult with organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Offer 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 embark on psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and verify if they are open to collaborating with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the need to start For safety reasons, it’s recommended to start with smaller doses under the guidance of a psilocybin therapist, particularly if you are new to the 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, attempting to quit smoking, or confronting a terminal disease, psilocybin therapy could be an option for you.
However, if you have a 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 usually advised against it.
What is the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage usually varies, typically starting with smaller doses in a therapeutic context and adjusting according to individual responses. Clinical studies have demonstrated that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, along with psychological support, resulted in reduced depression scores in cases of treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be used in the treatment of PTSD?
This is a rapidly progressing area of research. However, studies on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant effects used in combination with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are more advanced. Trials on this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it’s expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
