We can talk about a renaissance of psychedelics, not only among users - more and more researchers, clinicians, psychologists and other health professionals are interested in the use of psilocybin, LSD, MDMA and other psychoactive substances in the treatment of people with depression, anxiety disorders, addiction, etc. Will a substance found in hundreds of species of psilocybin mushrooms revolutionize approaches to mental health?
Psylocybin in the 20th and 21st centuries
Mushrooms containing psilocybin have been consumed by various cultures in many different parts of the world for thousands of years. Not only do mushrooms native to the Americas contain it, but also many European and Asian species.
Psylocybin, a classic psychedelic, contains unique psychoactive properties, for which reason it has been used in religious ceremonies and other rituals, as well as a natural remedy for various ailments of the body and soul.
For more information on the past and present use of psilocybin mushrooms, see the article "Sacred and magical - ancient and current species of hallucinogenic mushrooms containing psilocybin and its derivatives" published in the international journal Medicina Internacia Revuo.
In the mid-20th century, psilocybin, along with most other classic psychedelics (substances that activate serotonin 5HT-2A receptors, among other things), was classified as a narcotic substance, which halted research on its utility in medicine. The return of clinical research on psilocybin in the 21st century has yielded promising results for the treatment of addiction, depression, anxiety disorders, consequences of trauma experienced (e.g., PTSD) or end-of-life mood disorders.
A well-known researcher and clinician who is popularizing the use of psilocybin (and other psychedelics) in trauma therapy is Professor Gabor Mate. We highly recommend you a video about his work "The Wisdom of Trauma"..
Overview of psilocybin research
The results of the psilocybin studies discussed in the review of 2022 indicate a significant reduction in depression and anxiety in those receiving psychedelics compared to placebo. One study found no significant difference between the effects obtained with the the help of routinely prescribed drugs SSRIS. Studies conducted with advanced-stage cancer patients have shown that psilocybin may also be beneficial in reducing depression and anxiety arising from a terminal diagnosis. Thus, according to some researchers, it makes sense to use it in palliative care.
Psilocybin therapy in the treatment of difficult-to-treat patients addictions has yielded optimistic results. Due to its low toxicity and low risk of abuse, psilocybin can contribute a great deal to addiction medicine. Studies on psilocybin addiction have mainly focused on nicotine and alcohol. In several small, open-label studies, it has shown superiority over traditional therapies.
Several administrations of psilocybin and psychotherapy - a new approach to treating depression
Psilocybin-assisted therapy is a new treatment approach also because of the drug's administration schedule: some researchers recommend Several sessions of about 6 hours with a psychedelic at intervals of several weeks.
According to this approach, between sessions, male and female patients should participate in individual psychotherapy to support the integration of experiences gained during sessions with psilocybin. During the sessions themselves, the psychotherapist is also present and supports the patient/woman.
In such a scheme treatment it is possible to significantly improve the condition of mental, reducing symptoms and achieving remission of the disorder within a few weeks. The effects can last for many months after taking psilocybin.
How does psilocybin work as part of psychotherapy?
It is now assumed that psilocybin and other psychoactive substances require more than simply administering a capsule and waiting for a beneficial effect. This often includes weeks of therapy to prepare the patient(s) to take the first dose of psilocybin and further therapy immediately after the session.
W article describing the goals and challenges facing psychedelic therapists, the researchers identify three basic phases of treatment: "preparation for the psychedelic-assisted session, the medical session itself, and the integration of psychological material that occurs during the preparation and session."
An important aspect is to establish the patient's and therapist's goal for the session. This includes motivating factors, intentions and expectations. Also important is the very environment in which the session takes place: usually a quiet room in which the patient/you lie down, have a choice of programmed music to listen to, put on a blindfold and talk to the therapist. Development of these supporting procedures Is an essential part of the overall treatment.
A psychedelic experience is an experience that expands consciousness, allows one to experience emotions related to some aspect of reality, to look at it in a different way than before. An important experience described by researchers, therapists and psychedelic users alike is a sense of oneness with the surrounding world, nature and people. It can have a beneficial effect on a person's further relationships and social functioning, provide a sense of meaning in life and motivation to continue.
Microdosing psilocybin in drug-resistant depression
They appear research clinical trials aimed at scientifically verifying the effectiveness of administering small (no psychedelic effects) doses of psilocybin to depressed patients unresponsive to treatment with antidepressants.
Microdosing psilocybin and other psychoactive substances is a well-known practice among psychedelic users, but it's hard to find controlled scientific studies that confirm its effectiveness conclusively. There are data based on self-observation of participants who reported their well-being to researchers via an app, as well as other types of questionnaire surveys.
Most researchers highlight the need for clinical trials on the antidepressant effect of the low doses of psilocybin and the benefits of their use in situations other than depression. We hope that the aforementioned ongoing study will provide new information on this topic.
Synthetic psilocybin to treat depression - new clinical trial
In November 2023, the biopharmaceutical company revealed a survey results clinical trial that demonstrates the potential of psychedelics in the context of mental health. The official statement reads that the goal of the research is to "revolutionize psychiatric care by developing innovative next-generation psychedelic treatments."
The study used a psilocybin analog synthesized by Cybin. The study included people experiencing major depressive disorder (MDD, major depressive disorder) and healthy volunteers.
Depressed subjects were divided into 2 groups and received 2 administrations (placebo/psylocybin, psilocybin/psylocybin) during the study; the effect was evaluated 3 weeks after each dose. The study subjects were allowed to continue taking antidepressants. The study report reads that it showed "a rapid, robust and statistically significant reduction in depressive symptoms three weeks after a single dose compared to placebo."
The great interest in psychedelics in the scientific community around the world and the development of such organizations as the Polish Psychedelic Society can be seen as a step toward changing attitudes toward mental health. In Poland, the use of psilocybin is illegal, but perhaps this global trend will lead to the widespread legalization of the use of this substance, at first probably for medical purposes only.
