People grappling with terminal diseases often experience substantial emotional distress, including feelings of depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a loss of purpose, which adds to the complexity of their circumstances.
Although some find relief in conventional treatments such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), these methods aren’t effective for everyone. This has prompted researchers to investigate fresh, innovative alternatives for end-of-life care.
Growing evidence suggests that psychedelic therapy may offer a potential remedy for existential suffering in patients with terminal conditions. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry posits that psychedelics could reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and lessen fear associated with death for patients facing life-threatening diseases.
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How Psilocybin Impacts the Brain
Psychedelics derived from mushrooms, as described by The National Institutes of Health, are powerful substances that can alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s delve into what various studies have discovered:
| Research Conducted By | Insights |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin interact with serotonin 2A receptors, which play a role in emotion and perception. |
| A study published in Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a natural hallucinogenic compound found in over 200 species of fungi, could potentially restructure the brains of those suffering from depression, possibly leading to a cure. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin bolsters connections between various brain regions in individuals with depression, potentially aiding them in overcoming excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind trial by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly 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 experienced reduced anxiety and depression post psilocybin therapy, resulting in a reduction in existential distress. The study also noted that the therapeutic benefits were connected to the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
Clinical Research
For validation, 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 experiencing treatment-resistant depression and were given psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants with less severe depression were uncertain if they received psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also participated in the same psychotherapy.
Scans were captured before and after treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connections within brain areas related to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also augmented connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It mitigated emotional avoidance effects and brought about significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The influence of psilocybin on brain rewiring continued for up to three weeks following the second dosage. Therefore, psilocybin offers a potential alternative solution for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing entrenched negative thought patterns associated with the condition. 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, usually combined with psychological assistance. This technique is gaining recognition 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 sought to gauge public opinion on the medical use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the study published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4
One in every 5 Canadians supports the use of psilocybin to alleviate existential distress at the end of life.
Lead researcher Michel Dorval noted that research shows psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy, can provide swift, potent, and long-lasting relief for individuals dealing with advanced cancer. It’s important to highlight that psilocybin-assisted therapy can bring about a deep sense of understanding and alleviation lasting up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that those with experience in palliative care or prior use of psilocybin expressed more support. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress could contribute to this openness to innovative approaches.
Despite existing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the research shows a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The authors expect these findings to improve the accessibility of this emerging treatment.
Additional Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized trial of 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was found that psilocybin combined with psychotherapy significantly reduced the number of heavy drinking days over approximately 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 alcohol.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Although quitting smoking is notoriously 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, together with 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 could potentially reshape a smoker’s identity, fostering long-term abstinence.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
Emerging studies suggest that psilocybin could be helpful for individuals struggling with anorexia. An initial study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant decreases in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety in adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-enhanced psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
End of Life
For many individuals diagnosed with terminal illnesses, anxiety and depression are common experiences. However, psilocybin therapy offers a ray of hope as it has been shown to significantly alleviate these symptoms. Numerous studies have demonstrated considerable decreases in depression and anxiety among patients facing life-threatening cancer diagnoses after undergoing psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy has the potential to deliver profound healing results promptly, which can have enduring benefits. Each therapy session is customized to the patients’ needs and adheres to specific clinic or trial guidelines.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | Initial sessions are dedicated to discussing any apprehensions and treatment objectives with a facilitator. The goal is to establish a secure environment and a robust relationship. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a cozy setting, while lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a pre-chosen playlist, and being accompanied by a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Follow-up sessions offer an opportunity to decipher the experience with the therapist, which aids in integrating the insights into daily life. | Several sessions spread over hours |
Tips for Navigating 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 an enhanced therapeutic experience.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their credentials, experience, therapeutic approaches, and expertise in handling mental health conditions.
- Be open and honest about your actual motivation for seeking treatment, mental health issues, medical history, and family mental health history.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your specific mental health condition and seek advice and training from organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA).
- Provide a thorough account of your medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your decision to undergo psilocybin therapy with your existing mental health provider and inquire if they are open to collaborating with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the necessity to begin If you’re new to psilocybin therapy, it’s advisable to start with smaller doses for safety purposes under the guidance of your psilocybin therapist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who can benefit from psilocybin therapy?
Psilocybin therapy can be considered if you’re dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol dependency, seeking to quit smoking, or confronting a terminal illness.
However, if you have a personal or family history of schizophrenia or psychosis, psilocybin and other hallucinogenic substances may exacerbate your symptoms. It’s also generally not recommended for individuals with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder.
What’s the usual psilocybin dosage in therapy?
Dosages can vary, usually commencing with smaller amounts in a therapeutic context and adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical research indicates that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, in conjunction with psychological support, led to decreased depression scores in individuals with treatment-resistant depression.
Is psilocybin effective in treating PTSD?
This is a rapidly advancing area of research. However, studies on MDMA, an atypical psychedelic with stimulant properties used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are more advanced. MDMA has reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it’s expected that it may be approved for PTSD treatment within the year.
