The Psychedelic Phenomenon: How Psilocybin is Changing Clinical Practice

Interest in psychedelics is growing among the public, psychiatrists, and other clinical providers, as well as in the research community. More studies are being done or planned to evaluate psychedelics for conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorders. 

Psychedelics in Modern Psychiatry

After years of being overlooked, psychedelics have regained attention in psychiatric research and public interest. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognized psilocybin as a potential breakthrough therapy for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) in 2018. 

This indicates that it may offer significant improvement over existing treatments. Despite this, psilocybin remains classified as a Schedule I drug by the DEA, posing challenges for both medical professionals and the public.

Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelics

Recent clinical trials have shown results regarding the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for various mental health conditions, such as:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Addiction

This has prompted organizations like the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry (GAP) to provide clinicians with an evidence-based overview of psychedelics. These focus on psilocybin’s efficacy, potential risks, and ethical considerations.

While much of the research is funded by private investors, governmental organizations like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are also beginning to contribute. However, the regulatory environment remains uncertain, with ongoing efforts to establish consistent medical oversight.

Psilocybin for Anxiety & Depression 

Biologically, psychedelics like psilocybin seem to promote brain plasticity and enhance certain signalling pathways related to mood regulation. Psilocin, the active compound in psilocybin, affects serotonin receptors in the brain. 

This leads to increased brain activity across different networks. This increased connectivity between brain networks may allow for more flexible thinking and could contribute to long-term improvements in depression symptoms.

People’s Responses

Studies show that people who use psychedelics outside of clinical settings report reduced anxiety and depression, especially if they have strong emotional or mystical experiences during their trip.

• In a study with patients who had TRD, those who felt a sense of boundlessness during their psilocybin session experienced decreased depressive symptoms after 5 weeks. However, negative experiences, like fear of losing oneself, were linked to a worse outcome.

For cancer patients facing anxiety and depression, those who had a more mystical experience with psilocybin had less anxiety and depression 5 weeks later. 

• In a study treating major depressive disorder (MDD), feelings of personal meaning and spiritual significance during the psilocybin experience were linked to decreased depression scores after 4 weeks. Interestingly, the intensity of the mystical experience was consistently associated with improved well-being, even a year after treatment.

In a comparison between psilocybin and escitalopram for depression, both treatments decreased depression scores. But psilocybin improved overall mental well-being and increased emotional depth and compassion. 

Previous studies have shown that psilocybin increases openness to new experiences. Recent research suggests that the intensity of the mystical experience is linked to greater psychological flexibility, which may help break habitual thought patterns and reduce depression.

How Psychedelic Therapy Works

All treatment studies so far have involved psychotherapy conducted by trained therapists, divided into three phases: 

Preparation

During the preparation phase, which takes place before the actual psychedelic experience, participants have a couple of sessions. These sessions focus on educating them about what to expect during the psychedelic experience, building a trusting relationship with their therapist, and ensuring their safety.

Dosing

During the dosing session, two therapists are present, with one therapist staying with the participant while the other provides support either in the room or via video. Participants are encouraged to explore their inner experiences while wearing an eyeshade and listening to music. The therapists offer verbal reassurance, breathing exercises, and guided imagery to support them. The dosing session typically lasts around 6 to 8 hours for psilocybin.

Integration

Integration sessions start the day after the dosing session and continue weekly for at least a week. Participants will share their experiences and insights gained during the psychedelic experience. Together with the therapist, they develop plans for ongoing self-reflection and self-care activities to help integrate their experiences into their daily lives.

Some experts believe that the most important part of psychedelic therapy is the psychedelic experience itself rather than the therapy provided afterward. However, more research is needed to determine the most effective approach to psychotherapy in conjunction with psychedelic treatment, as well as whether it should be adapted to each individual’s needs and symptoms.

How to Dose Psilocybin

Psilocybin research has used three different dosing ranges:

• Microdosing
• Sub psychedelic (moderate)
• Psychedelic (therapeutic) dosing

The last two types of dosing have been studied a lot in psychiatry: pain management, headache, and addiction treatments. Microdosing, which is less researched, involves taking small amounts of dried Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms to improve well-being.

Reminder: When you take psilocybin on an empty stomach, about half of it gets into your system. It can be detected in your bloodstream in 20 to 40 minutes, spreading throughout your body and even crossing your brain.

Microdosing 

In a 2022 article by Polito and Liknaitzky, they suggested that a microdose of dried mushroom could be between 0.1 to 0.5 grams, and for synthetic psilocybin, it could be between 0.8 to 5 milligrams. 

The frequency and duration of microdosing also vary a lot, but normally, it’s done every 3 days. Some studies have found benefits from microdosing, while others have found it’s no different from taking a placebo.

Best Products for Microdosing

While there are ongoing studies related to the effects of microdosing, many are now purchasing products like Shrooms Canada to do it. Here are some of the top picks:

Bright Future – Daily Dose

Each bottle contains 30 doses of 1ml each. Daily Dose is a mood and energy booster. A drop is enough to lift your spirits, sharpen your mind, and unleash your creativity. The blend of organic mushrooms and adaptogens will make you feel invincible and ready to tackle anything life throws your way all day.

Ground Sounds – Microdose Capsules – Stevie’s Wonder

Stevie’s Wonder capsules combine the power of psilocybin mushrooms with therapeutic, non-psychedelic plants to help you reach your peak performance. Available in three doses (50mg, 100mg, or 250mg of pure psilocybin), along with reishi, bacopa, gotu kola, and lion’s mane, these capsules provide a safe and natural way to increase productivity and focus energy.

Kind Stranger – Microdose Capsules – Brighten

If you’re new to mushrooms or a seasoned user, this medium potency stack is perfect for you. This offers enhanced clarity, creativity, and focus with every dose. Plus, Schisandra, a powerful adaptogenic herb, is added to lessen stress hormone levels in the blood.

Psilocybin is Changing Clinical Practice

While the possible therapeutic effects of psilocybin are promising, further research is needed to address questions surrounding optimal dosing, treatment protocols, and long-term effects. As interest and exploration in this field continue to grow, it’s important to maintain a balanced approach to harnessing the benefits of psychedelics in clinical practice. Ensure you get the best shrooms in Canada from a reputable dispensary like Zoomies Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is psilocybin therapy for everyone?

Psilocybin therapy isn’t right for everyone. It needs careful checking for each person. People with past psychosis, schizophrenia, or severe mental issues might have more risks with psilocybin. Also, certain health problems or medicines could make using psilocybin unsafe.

How is psilocybin therapy different from regular mental treatments?

Psilocybin therapy is not like typical mental treatments in a few ways. First, it usually only needs one or a few sessions, not ongoing appointments or medicines. Second, it tries to create deep mental experiences that could help understand problems and change behaviour for a long time. Lastly, psilocybin therapy is done in a supportive way that focuses on the environment and mindset for the best experience.

How can psilocybin therapy fit into current mental health care?

To bring psilocybin therapy into existing mental health care, we need to adjust our belief system. This might mean making special places or clinics for treatment with trained professionals, making standard ways to do psilocybin therapy, teaching doctors and therapists about it, and changing how people see psychedelics.