Those grappling with terminal illnesses frequently encounter significant emotional upheaval, including depression, anxiety, existential dread, and a sense of losing purpose, which further complicates their challenging circumstances.
Existing remedies like counselling and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can prove helpful, but they aren’t universally effective. This has spurred researchers to investigate unconventional, forward-thinking strategies for end-of-life care.
A growing body of research suggests that psychedelic therapy may offer a potential solution for treating existential distress in patients with terminal diseases. A review in Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry indicates that psychedelics could reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve quality of life, and alleviate death-related fears in patients with life-threatening conditions.
To further scrutinize the efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms, Canadians frequently buy shrooms online for research purposes.
[toc]
Psilocybin’s Impact on the Brain
The National Institutes of Health characterizes psychedelics from shrooms as powerful substances that can alter cognition. They affect mood and perception through their interaction with the brain’s serotonin circuits.
Let’s delve into what various studies have discovered:
| Research Group | Discoveries |
| Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas | Psychedelics such as psilocybin interact with 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 those with depression, possibly resulting in a treatment. |
| Researchers from UC San Francisco and Imperial College London | Psilocybin augments connections between various brain regions in depressed individuals, possibly aiding them in overcoming excessive self-focus and rumination. |
| A randomized, double-blind study by John Hopkins University | High doses of psilocybin significantly decreased depression, anxiety, and fear of death, while enhancing quality of life, sense of life’s meaning, and optimism. |
| Clinical study from New York University | Between 60% and 80% of participants reported diminished anxiety. and depression after undergoing psilocybin therapy, leading to a decrease in existential distress. It was also found that the therapeutic effects were directly connected to the psychedelic experience induced by psilocybin. |
Investigative Study
The researchers at UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences conducted 2 studies involving 60 participants, who underwent fMRI brain scans.
Methodology
- First Study. Psilocybin was administered to all participants, who were all dealing with treatment-resistant depression.
- Second Study. Participants with less severe depression were not informed whether they received psilocybin or an antidepressant placebo (escitalopram). All participants also received the same psychotherapy.
Scans were taken before and after treatment to assess the effects.
Results
- Psilocybin treatment reduced connections within brain areas linked to depression, such as the default mode, salience, and executive networks, while strengthening connections to less integrated brain regions.
- It mitigated the effects of emotional avoidance and led to significant improvements in cognitive functioning.
Psilocybin’s effect on brain rewiring continued up to three weeks after the second dose. Consequently, psilocybin represents a potential alternative treatment for depression, as it restructures the brain and reduces chronic negative thought patterns associated with the condition. This evidence suggests that psilocybin works differently compared to traditional antidepressants.
Psilocybin Therapy – A Promising Treatment Approach
Psilocybin therapy involves the supervised use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting, often paired with psychological support. This approach is garnering attention for its potential to treat conditions like treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and existential distress in patients with terminal diseases.
A recent survey carried out 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 approves of using psilocybin to reduce existential distress at the end of life.
Lead researcher Michel Dorval has noted that research has shown that psilocybin, when used in combination with psychotherapy, can provide quick, strong, and long-lasting relief for individuals dealing with advanced cancer. It’s important to highlight that psilocybin therapy can evoke a deep sense of comprehension and relief that can persist for up to six months.
Moreover, the survey indicates that those with a background in palliative care or prior experience with psilocybin were more supportive. Dorval suggested that personal encounters with end-of-life distress could influence this receptivity to new approaches.
Despite prevailing prejudices against 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 authors expect that these results will facilitate greater access to this innovative form of therapy.
Additional Benefits of Psilocybin Therapy
1. Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder
A double-blind, randomized trial involving 93 participants, published in JAMA Psychiatry in August 2022, found that pairing psilocybin with psychotherapy resulted in significantly fewer heavy drinking days over approximately eight months compared to a control group on a placebo. The psilocybin group also consumed less alcohol on the days they did drink.
2. Aid in Smoking Cessation
While it’s well-known that quitting smoking is extremely difficult, a small-scale pilot study by Johns Hopkins University researchers, published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in January 2017, suggested that psilocybin, along with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), allowed 10 out of 15 participants to abstain from smoking for a year. A subsequent study indicated that the psychedelic experience could potentially reshape a smoker’s identity, thereby encouraging long-term abstinence.
3. Anorexia Treatment
New research suggests that psilocybin may be helpful for individuals afflicted with anorexia. A preliminary study published in Biological Psychiatry in May 2022 reported significant symptom reduction in adults with anorexia who participated in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, including decreased anxiety and eating disorder symptoms.
4. Alleviating End-of-Life Anxiety
End of Life
Many individuals with terminal illnesses grapple with anxiety and depression. Encouragingly, there’s growing evidence that psilocybin therapy can help mitigate these symptoms. Studies have reported considerable decreases in depression and anxiety among patients with life-threatening cancer diagnoses following psilocybin therapy.
What to Expect from Psilocybin Therapy?
Psilocybin therapy holds the promise of HTML:
Our therapy offers potent healing outcomes swiftly, potentially yielding long-term benefits. Each session is adapted to individual requirements and adheres to specific clinic or trial protocols.
| Phase | Description | Duration |
| Before | In initial sessions, any fears and treatment goals are discussed with a facilitator, aiming to establish a robust relationship and secure environment. | 1 to 6 hours |
| During | The participant ingests a dose of psilocybin in a relaxed setting, lying down, wearing an eye mask, listening to a chosen playlist, and accompanied by a therapist. | 5 to 8 hours |
| After | Follow-up sessions offer a forum to discuss the experience with the therapist, thereby aiding in integrating the insights into daily life. | Several sessions extending over hours |
Advice for Pursuing Psilocybin Therapy
- Research clinics where psilocybin is legally available and consider joining a waiting list if necessary.
- Choose a clinic that provides psilocybin treatment with a therapist or a professional guide to maximize the therapeutic benefits.
- Interview potential therapists, inquiring about their credentials, experience, therapeutic techniques, and proficiency in handling mental health conditions.
- Be open about your genuine motivations for seeking treatment, mental health conditions, 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 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 current mental health provider and inquire if they are agreeable to collaborate with your psilocybin therapy team.
- Discuss the dosage, protocol, and the necessity to commence Start with lower dosages for safety when trying out psilocybin therapy, especially if you’re a novice. Your psilocybin therapist can guide you through this process.
Order Shrooms Online from Strongest Shroom Strain Canada
At Strongest Shroom Strain Canada, we acknowledge the potential benefits of psilocybin therapy in tackling mental health conditions such as treatment-resistant depression. Our online store offers a wide variety of magic mushroom products, including dried shrooms, shroom edibles, and different strains to meet your needs.
Customer satisfaction is our top priority at our mushroom dispensary. We provide a reliable and secure online platform for you to purchase magic mushrooms. Discover the wellness benefits of microdosing or explore higher doses for therapeutic use. Experience the transformative power of psychedelics and embark on a mental health journey with Strongest Shroom Strain Canada. Place your order for magic mushrooms online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is an ideal candidate for psilocybin therapy?
If you are battling depression, anorexia, alcohol addiction, trying to quit smoking, or dealing with a terminal illness, psilocybin therapy might be a viable option for you.
However, if you have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis, or these conditions run in your family, hallucinogens like psilocybin could potentially exacerbate your symptoms. Likewise, those with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder are generally advised to refrain from these substances.
What is the standard dosage of psilocybin in therapy?
The dosage can vary, typically starting with lower amounts in a therapeutic setting and adjusting based on individual responses. Clinical research has demonstrated that a single dose of 25 milligrams of synthetic psilocybin, along with psychological support, led to a decrease in depression scores among those resistant to traditional treatment.
Can psilocybin be used to treat PTSD?
This is a rapidly growing area of research. However, studies on MDMA, a non-traditional psychedelic with stimulant properties used alongside psychotherapy for PTSD treatment, are more advanced. Clinical trials of this substance have reached phase 3, and it is expected that MDMA may receive approval for PTSD treatment this year.
