Dealing with terminal illnesses often presents individuals with immense emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, existential crisis, and a loss of purpose, which further complicates their already challenging circumstances.
Although existing therapies such as counselling and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) offer some relief, they do not have the same effect on everyone. This has prompted researchers to investigate innovative alternatives for end-of-life care.
There’s a growing body of research suggesting that psychedelic therapy could potentially help alleviate existential distress in patients suffering from incurable diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, improve quality of life, and lessen fears related to death in patients with life-threatening conditions.
To delve deeper into the potential benefits of psilocybin mushrooms, many Canadians buy shrooms online for research and exploration.
[toc]
How Psilocybin Influences the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterizes psychedelics derived from mushrooms as powerful substances that can alter cognition. They affect mood and perception by interacting with the serotonin circuits in the brain.
Let’s look at what various studies have discovered:
| Research Group | Findings |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin interact with serotonin 2A receptors, which are responsible for managing emotions and perception. |
| A study reported by Mental Health News | Psilocybin, a hallucinogenic compound naturally present in over 200 fungi species, could potentially rewire the brains of individuals with depression, possibly leading to a treatment solution. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin enhances connections between different brain areas in depressed individuals, which may aid in reducing 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 improving life quality, sense of life’s purpose, and optimism. |
| Clinical trial from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported diminished anxiety and depression after psilocybin therapy, which resulted in a reduction of existential distress. The study also noted that the therapeutic benefits were associated with the psychedelic experience that psilocybin evokes. |
Investigative Study
The researchers from the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Method
- First Study. All participants had treatment-resistant depression and were given psilocybin.
- Second Study. Participants with less serious depression were unaware if they received psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also participated in the same psychotherapy.
Scans were conducted before and after treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin therapy reduced connections within brain networks related to depression, including the default mode, salience, and executive networks. It also fortified connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It minimized the effects of emotional avoidance and led to significant improvements in cognitive function.
The effect of psilocybin on brain restructuring lasted up to three weeks after the second dose. Therefore, psilocybin offers a potential alternative treatment for depression by reorganizing the brain and reducing entrenched 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 is the controlled use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, often combined with psychological support. This method 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 aimed to gauge public opinion on the medicinal use of psilocybin for end-of-life care. According to the study published in Palliative Medicine, almost 4
One in five Canadians supports the application of psilocybin to lessen end-of-life existential distress.
Lead investigator Michel Dorval noted that research has shown that psilocybin, when combined with psychotherapy, can provide swift, strong, and long-lasting relief for individuals grappling with advanced cancer. It’s important to highlight that psilocybin-based therapy can provoke a deep sense of comprehension and alleviation that can persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey implies that individuals with exposure to palliative care or prior psilocybin use exhibited more support. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress could contribute to this receptivity to alternative approaches.
Despite existing prejudices against psychedelic drugs, the study suggests a rising acceptance of psilocybin therapy in Canada, particularly in palliative and end-of-life care situations. The authors expect that these results will increase the accessibility of this innovative treatment method.
Additional Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
In a double-blind, randomized trial involving 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, it was discovered that the pairing of psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer days of heavy drinking over roughly eight months compared to a control group receiving placebo therapy. The group administered psilocybin also consumed less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
Quitting smoking is infamously difficult, yet a small pilot study conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, suggested that psilocybin, in conjunction with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), enabled 10 out of 15 participants to remain abstinent from smoking for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience could potentially help reshape a smoker’s identity, thus encouraging long-term abstention.
3. Therapy for Anorexia
Emergent research indicates that psilocybin might be useful for individuals struggling with anorexia. A preliminary 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-assisted psychotherapy.
4. Reduction of End-of-Life Anxiety
A significant number of patients with terminal illnesses suffer from anxiety and depression. However, there is promising data suggesting that psilocybin therapy can help lessen these symptoms. Studies have indicated a noticeable decrease in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer diagnoses who have undergone psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy can potentially offer
Our therapy sessions are designed to yield potent healing outcomes promptly, with the potential for long-term advantages. Each therapy session is customized to meet individual requirements and adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Prior | The initial sessions are centered around discussing any apprehensions and treatment goals with a facilitator, aiming to foster a robust relationship and secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting, lying down, with an eye mask on, listening to a chosen playlist, and in the company of a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| Subsequent | Follow-up sessions offer an opportunity to interpret the experience with the therapist, aiding in integrating the insights into daily life. | Several sessions stretched 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 provides psilocybin treatment under the supervision of a therapist or a professional guide for a more beneficial experience.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their credentials, expertise, therapeutic techniques, and proficiency in mental health disorders.
- Be forthright about your actual motivations for seeking treatment, mental health issues, medical records, and family mental health history.
- Consider therapists focusing on your specific mental health issue and consult entities like the Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Association (PATA) for guidance and training.
- Give a detailed account of your medical and mental health history, especially if there’s a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
- Discuss your choice to pursue psilocybin therapy with your current mental health provider and inquire if they are open to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the necessity to commence with smaller quantities to ensure safety, particularly if you are new to psilocybin therapy.
Buy Shrooms Online at Magic Mushrooms Vancouver Canada
At Magic Mushrooms Vancouver Canada, we understand the potential benefits of psilocybin therapy for mental health conditions such as treatment-resistant depression. Our online store offers a wide range of magic mushroom products, including dried shrooms, edible shrooms, and different strains to suit your needs.
Our mushroom dispensary prioritizes customer satisfaction. We provide a safe and reliable platform for buying magic mushrooms online. Explore the advantages of smaller doses for well-being or try bigger doses for therapeutic purposes. Unlock the transformative power of psychedelics and venture into the world of mental health with Magic Mushrooms Vancouver Canada. Place your order for magic mushrooms online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is suitable for psilocybin therapy?
Psilocybin therapy may be worth considering if you are dealing with depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to stop smoking, or facing a life-threatening illness.
However, if you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or these conditions run in your family, hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin could potentially exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, individuals with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are generally advised to avoid it.
What is the usual dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage generally varies, often starting with smaller doses in a therapeutic environment and adjusting according to personal responses. Clinical research indicates that a single 25-milligram dose of synthetic psilocybin, administered with psychological support, led to reduced depression scores in treatment-resistant depression.
Can psilocybin be utilized to treat PTSD?
This area of study is rapidly advancing. However, research on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used in combination with psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, is more developed. Studies on this psychedelic have reached phase 3 clinical trials, and it is expected that MDMA may be approved for PTSD treatment within this year.
