People grappling with terminal diseases frequently experience significant emotional challenges, including depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a feeling of losing purpose, which further complicates their situation.
Despite the potential benefits of existing therapies such as counselling or cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), these methods may not be effective for everyone. Such limitations have prompted scientists to investigate novel and alternative methods for end-of-life care.
There is growing evidence suggesting that psychedelic therapy could offer a potential solution for easing existential angst amongst patients with incurable illnesses. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry demonstrates that psychedelics may help mitigate symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve quality of life, and reduce death-related fears in patients facing life-threatening diseases.
In order to delve deeper into the effectiveness of psilocybin mushrooms, many Canadians buy shrooms online for the purpose of investigation.
[toc]
How Psilocybin Influences the Brain
The National Institutes of Health describe psychedelics, derived from shrooms, as powerful substances that alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s examine the findings from various studies:
| Researchers | Results |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin impact serotonin 2A receptors that regulate emotions and perception. |
| A report from Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound present in over 200 species of fungi, could potentially restructure the brains of individuals suffering from depression, leading to possible treatment routes. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between different brain regions in people with depression, possibly assisting them in overcoming excessive self-focus and repetitive thought patterns. |
| A randomized, double-blind study by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly diminished symptoms of 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 a decrease in anxiety and depression after undergoing psilocybin therapy, resulting in a decrease in existential distress. The study further noted that these therapeutic effects were connected to the psychedelic experience triggered by psilocybin. |
Clinical Investigation
To corroborate this, researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences executed 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Investigation. All participants were struggling with treatment-resistant depression and were given psilocybin.
- Second Investigation. Participants with less severe depression were not informed if they were given psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also participated in the same psychotherapy.
Scans were conducted before and after the treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Treatment with psilocybin reduced connections within brain regions associated with depression, such as the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also enhanced connections to less integrated brain areas.
- The treatment reduced the effects of emotional avoidance and led to significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
The influence of psilocybin on brain rewiring remained up to three weeks after the second dosage. Therefore, psilocybin offers a potential alternative solution for depression by altering the brain’s structure and lessening entrenched negative thought patterns associated with the condition. This result implies that psilocybin operates differently from conventional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic context, usually combined with psychological assistance. This treatment is increasingly being recognized for its potential to address treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal diseases.
A recent survey conducted by researchers from the Faculties of Pharmacy at Université Laval, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and UQAR was designed to gauge public opinion on the medical application of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the poll published in Palliative Medicine, nearly 4
One in five Canadians support the utilization of psilocybin to help mitigate existential distress at end-of-life.
Lead investigator, Michel Dorval, highlighted that research has shown psilocybin, when used alongside psychotherapy, can provide swift, substantial, and long-lasting relief for those grappling with advanced cancer. It’s worth noting that this type of therapy can evoke a deep sense of comprehension and respite, which can endure for up to six months.
Besides, the survey infers that individuals with a history in palliative care or prior psilocybin usage are more supportive. Dorval suggested that personal experiences with end-of-life distress might contribute to this receptiveness to unconventional approaches.
Despite prevalent prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the research shows a growing acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care situations. The authors foresee that these findings will improve the availability of this breakthrough treatment.
Further Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treating Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized study involving 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was found that pairing psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer instances of heavy drinking over roughly eight months compared to a control group on placebo therapy. The psilocybin group also consumed less alcohol on the days they did 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 psilocybin, in tandem with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), helped 10 out of 15 participants maintain a smoke-free life for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience could potentially reshape a smoker’s identity, encouraging sustained abstinence.
3. Anorexia Treatment
New studies indicate that psilocybin might be helpful for those struggling with anorexia. A preliminary report published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 noted significant reductions in symptoms of eating disorders and anxiety among adults with anorexia who underwent psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
Patients dealing with terminal diseases frequently encounter feelings of anxiety and depression. Encouragingly, psilocybin therapy shows potential to significantly alleviate these symptoms. Studies indicate considerable decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer diagnoses who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What Can You Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy carries the potential to deliver prompt, potent healing results, with the possibility of enduring benefits. Each session is customized to the individual’s needs, adhering to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | Initial sessions concentrate on discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to cultivate a secure environment and a profound connection. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed atmosphere, lying down with an eye mask on, listening to a chosen playlist, and accompanied by a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Post-therapy sessions offer a space to decipher the experience with the therapist, assisting in integrating the insights into everyday life. | Several sessions over hours |
Guidelines for Navigating Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legal and if necessary, consider joining a waiting list.
- Choose a clinic that conducts psilocybin treatment under the supervision of a therapist or professional guide for an enhanced therapeutic experience.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their qualifications, experience, therapy styles, and expertise in handling mental health conditions.
- Be honest about your true motivations for seeking treatment, mental health status, medical history, and family mental health background.
- 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 detailed 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 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 Start with lower dosages for safety during your psilocybin therapy, especially if you are a beginner.
Buy Shrooms Online at Mushrooms Online Canada
At Mushrooms Online Canada, we acknowledge the potential benefits of psilocybin therapy for mental health disorders like treatment-resistant depression. Our online store provides a wide range of magic mushroom products, including dried shrooms, shroom edibles, and various strains to meet your needs.
Customer satisfaction is at the forefront of our magic mushroom dispensary. Our secure and reliable online platform allows you to buy magic mushrooms with ease. Experience the beneficial effects of low doses for wellness, or explore higher doses for therapeutic purposes. Uncover the transformative power of psychedelics and delve into the area of mental health with Mushrooms Online Canada. Place your order for magic mushrooms online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you’re battling depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or dealing with terminal illness, psilocybin therapy may be something to consider.
However, if you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or if these conditions run in your family, hallucinogens like psilocybin might exacerbate your symptoms. Additionally, those with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder are generally advised against this treatment.
What is the standard psilocybin dosage in therapy?
The dosage typically differs, starting with lower doses in a therapeutic environment, and adjusting based on personal responses. Clinical studies have shown that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, combined with psychological support, led to reduced depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be used for treating PTSD?
The research in this field is progressing swiftly. However, studies on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulative effects used in combination with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are further along. Clinical trials for this psychedelic have reached phase 3, and it is expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment this year.
