People grappling with terminal diseases frequently confront substantial emotional upheaval, including depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a feeling of purposelessness, which further complicates their challenging circumstances.
Despite the benefits of traditional interventions like counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), they may not be effective for everyone. This limitation has prompted scientists to investigate alternative, advanced strategies for end-of-life care.
Growing research evidence suggests that psychedelic therapy could potentially alleviate existential distress among patients with incurable conditions. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics may help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve life quality, and diminish fears associated with death in patients facing life-threatening diseases.
For a deeper understanding of the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, it’s common for Canadians to buy shrooms online for experimental purposes.
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Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterizes psychedelics derived from shrooms as powerful substances that alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with serotonin circuits in the brain.
Let’s delve into what various studies have discovered:
| Researchers | Conclusions |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin interact with serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| An investigation from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a hallucinogenic compound naturally present in over 200 fungi species, may restructure the brains of depression sufferers, potentially leading to a remedy. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin bolsters connections between diverse brain areas in individuals with depression, possibly aiding them in overcoming excessive self-absorption and brooding. |
| A randomized, double-blind study by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly diminished depression, anxiety, and fear of death, while boosting life quality, sense of life’s purpose, and optimism. |
| A clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported a decrease in anxiety and depression following therapy with psilocybin, which subsequently brought about improvements in existential distress. The therapeutic effects were observed to be associated with the psychedelic experience that psilocybin induces. |
Clinical Research
Supporting this, the researchers at UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants, who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Study Approach
- First Study: All participants, suffering from treatment-resistant depression, were given psilocybin.
- Second Study: Participants with less severe depression were not informed whether they received psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also underwent the same psychotherapy.
Scans were taken before and after treatment to assess the impacts.
Results
- Treatment with psilocybin weakened connections within the brain areas linked to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. However, it strengthened connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It reduced emotional avoidance effects and resulted in significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The effects of psilocybin on the brain’s rewiring lingered for up to three weeks post the second dosage. Thus, psilocybin emerges as a potential alternative treatment for depression by reshaping the brain and reducing the ingrained negative thought processes linked to the disorder. This discovery suggests that psilocybin operates differently compared to conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Therapeutic Approach
Psilocybin therapy refers to the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, usually in combination with psychological support. This approach is gathering recognition for its potential to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients suffering from terminal diseases.
A recent survey conducted by researchers from Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR aimed to gauge public opinion on the medical use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the survey published in Palliative Medicine, almost 4 One in five Canadians support the use of psilocybin to mitigate existential distress during end-of-life situations.
Michel Dorval, the lead researcher, noted that studies have shown psilocybin, when used alongside psychotherapy, can provide swift, strong, and long-lasting comfort for people struggling with terminal cancer. It’s significant to highlight that psilocybin-assisted therapy can generate a deep sense of comprehension and relief that can persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey implies that individuals with prior exposure to palliative care or psilocybin usage exhibited more support. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress could potentially influence this receptivity towards new therapeutic approaches.
In spite of prevalent prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study reflects a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care contexts. The authors expect these insights to improve the accessibility of this innovative treatment.
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, found that the integration of psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a placebo group. The group treated with psilocybin also consumed less alcohol on the days they did consume alcohol.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Despite the well-known difficulty of quitting smoking, a small pilot study by Johns Hopkins University researchers, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, suggested that psilocybin combined with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helped 10 out of 15 participants to abstain from smoking for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience could potentially help reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
New research indicates that psilocybin might be useful for those battling anorexia. An initial study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported considerable reductions in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety in adults with anorexia who received psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
End of Life
Terminal illnesses often result in patients suffering from anxiety and depression. Psilocybin therapy shows great promise in easing these symptoms. Studies have demonstrated notable decreases in depression and anxiety among patients with terminal cancer who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What Can You Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy holds the potential to deliver powerful healing results quickly, which can possibly provide enduring benefits. Every session is customized to the individual’s needs and adheres to specific clinic or trial guidelines.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | The initial sessions are dedicated to discussing any fears and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to establish a strong bond and a safe environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a comfortable setting, while lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and under the supervision of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Post-therapy sessions offer an opportunity to discuss the experience with the therapist, which helps in integrating the gained insights into regular life. | Several sessions over 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 an optimized therapeutic experience.
- Interview prospective therapists, asking about their qualifications, experience, therapeutic techniques, and competence in mental health disorders.
- Be open about your true motives for seeking treatment, mental health status, medical history, and family mental health background.
- Consider therapists who specialize in your specific mental health issue and consult organizations like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Disclose all relevant information about 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 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 begin Ensure you start with lower doses for safety under the guidance of your psilocybin therapist, particularly if you’re new to psilocybin therapy.
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At our mushroom dispensary, customer satisfaction is our utmost priority. We provide a reliable and secure online platform for buying magic mushrooms. Explore the wellness benefits of smaller doses or venture into the use of higher doses for therapeutic purposes. Uncover the powerful potential of psychedelics and venture into the world of mental health with Sero Canada. Place your order for magic mushrooms online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can benefit from psilocybin therapy?
If you’re battling depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or dealing with a terminal illness, psilocybin therapy may be a consideration.
However, if you have a personal or family history of schizophrenia or psychosis, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin could exacerbate your symptoms. Similarly, individuals with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are usually advised to refrain.
What’s the standard dose of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage typically fluctuates, often starting with smaller doses in a therapeutic context and adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical studies have shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, assisted by psychological support, led to reduced depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be employed for PTSD treatment?
This is a swiftly expanding research field. However, studies on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used along with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are further along. Trials on this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
