Psilocybin therapy, also known as psychedelic-assisted
therapy, involves the use of psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic
compound found in certain types of mushrooms, as a therapeutic tool in
combination with psychotherapy. While there have been studies exploring the use
of psilocybin in the treatment of various mental health conditions, its
application in cancer treatment, including pancreatic cancer, is still in the
early stages of research.
Some preliminary studies have suggested that psilocybin
therapy may have potential benefits for patients with advanced cancer,
including reducing anxiety, depression, and existential distress, and improving
their overall quality of life.
It is important to note that psilocybin therapy is not a
direct treatment for cancer itself. Instead, it is considered a complementary
or supportive approach to help patients cope with the emotional and
psychological challenges associated with the cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Patients with pancreatic cancer face significant
physical, emotional, and psychological burdens due to the severity of the
disease and the often challenging treatment regimens. Integrating a holistic
approach to patient care that includes emotional and psychological support can
be beneficial.
The history of psilocybin and where it’s headed (studies)
The two landmark
studies suggest psilocybin might be just as, or possibly more, effective as
existing pharmaceutical treatments for anxiety and depression. They represent
the most rigorous research to date that has involved psilocybin in 2016.
Yet, “to many people brought up in the Reagan drug war
era with the ‘drugs fry your brain’ message, psilocybin may seem a strange and
possibly even a dangerous drug treatment of serious mental illness,” wrote
David Nutt, professor of neuropsychopharmacology and director of the
neuropsychopharmacology unit in the Division of Brain Sciences at Imperial
College London.
Psilocybin was made illegal in the United States in 1968.
It’s classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, which
means it has not been accepted for medical use and has a high potential for
abuse.
“There was no evidence of psilocybin being harmful enough
to be controlled when it was banned,” Nutt wrote. “In a number of countries, it
has remained legal, for example in Mexico, where all plant products are legal,
and in Holland, where the underground bodies of the mushrooms, so-called
truffles, were exempted from control.”
The new studies, however, suggest that psilocybin be used
only in a medical setting, said Dr. George Greer, co-founder, medical director
and secretary at the Heffter Research Institute in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which
funded both studies.
“Our focus is scientific, and we’re focused on medical
use by medical doctors,” Greer said at the news conference. “This is a special
type of treatment, a special type of medicine. Its use can be highly controlled
in clinics with specially trained people.”
He added that he doubts the drug would ever be
distributed to patients to take home.
Greer said patients should be screened for a personal or
family history of psychosis or manic episodes, as they could suffer negative
effects.
Scientists have long explored using psychedelic drugs,
such as psilocybin and LSD, as possible therapies for anxiety associated with
terminal illnesses, but since the late 1960s, it has been extremely difficult
to study the therapeutic potential of such psychedelics, said Hattie Wells,
operations manager for the Beckley Foundation, an Oxford-based drug research
think tank.
“Legal restrictions resulting from the current scheduling
of psilocybin as a Schedule I drug (maximum potential for harm and no medical
use) in both the US and UK means that the cost of research is tenfold over
‘legal’ drugs,” wrote Wells.
“There are a multitude of bureaucratic difficulties
resulting from this scheduling,” she said. “In order to take this research to
the next level we need phase 3 clinical trials, multicentered trials with
thousands of diverse participants from all walks of life. If these showed
similar success rates, we would hope to get (the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare
products Regulatory Agency) and FDA approval of psilocybin and other
psychedelics, which would lead to the rescheduling of these substances and
their incorporation within mainstream psychiatry.”
Similar to the two new studies, for instance, a small
study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry in 2011 demonstrated that the
controlled use of psilocybin could provide an alternative model for the
treatment of anxiety and depression in advanced-stage cancer patients.
Mechanism and precautions
Psilocybin works dramatically
different than other common mental health medications. It’s not a daily
pill or a series of treatments that mask symptoms but a single dose therapy
that appears to make psychological turmoil disappear.
The process isn't necessarily euphoric or even easy. Instead, it enables people to confront their fears and "pass through them.
How, exactly, psilocybin produces these seemingly magical
effects is still a mystery to scientists. They do know that psilocybin
activates the brain's serotonin 2A receptors, which sets off a chain of neural
effects.
After this initial activation, some researchers
hypothesize psilocybin acts as a brain “reset,” temporarily reducing blood flow
to the amygdala — a part of the brain involved in emotional processing,
including stress and fear. Psilocybin also seems to connect areas of the brain
that typically don't communicate.
Others theorize psilocybin disrupts the brain’s default
mode network. This network is active when people are at rest, daydreaming,
planning for the future, and constructing their sense of self. It can be overly
active in people with mental illness, causing people to ruminate and worry.
Importantly, using psilocybin and other psychedelics
don't come without any risks. The main harm with these drugs is that in
unstructured settings, they can create enormous anxiety and panic. This acute
emotional overload can lead to dangerous accidents like falling off great
heights or accidentally injuring oneself.
People with a history of psychosis can also have
psychotic reactions to the drug. That's why researchers take care to screen for
people with these medical histories and create a calming, comfortable setting
to help people safely process the drug and its acute effects.
How psilocybin therapy may help pancreatic cancer
patients?
Psilocybin therapy may potentially help pancreatic cancer
patients by addressing some of the emotional and psychological challenges that
often accompany the cancer diagnosis and treatment process. It is essential to
note that psilocybin therapy is not a direct treatment for cancer itself, but
rather a complementary approach to improve the well-being and quality of life
of patients.
1. Reducing
anxiety and depression: Pancreatic cancer is a severe and often
life-threatening condition, which can lead to heightened levels of anxiety and
depression in patients. Studies have suggested that psilocybin, when
administered under controlled and supervised conditions, may have the potential
to reduce anxiety and depression, leading to an improved mental state for
patients.
2. Coping
with existential distress: A cancer diagnosis, especially one as serious as
pancreatic cancer, can trigger existential distress, which is a profound form
of emotional and psychological suffering related to mortality, meaning, and the
nature of life. Psilocybin therapy, when combined with psychotherapy, may help
patients explore and come to terms with these challenging existential issues.
3. Enhancing
emotional processing and introspection: Psilocybin has been reported to induce
altered states of consciousness that can lead to enhanced emotional processing
and introspection. This heightened emotional experience may allow patients to
explore and work through deep-seated emotions, fears, and concerns related to
their illness, potentially leading to psychological healing and growth.
4. Facilitating
spiritual experiences: Some patients undergoing psilocybin therapy have
reported profound and spiritually significant experiences. These experiences
might help patients find a sense of peace, acceptance, or spiritual
connectedness, which can be beneficial in navigating the difficult journey of
cancer.
5. Improving
quality of life: Pancreatic cancer and its treatment often cause physical
symptoms, pain, and discomfort. By addressing emotional and psychological
distress, psilocybin therapy may contribute to an improved overall quality of
life for patients, even in the face of a challenging medical prognosis.
It is crucial to emphasize that psilocybin therapy should
only be administered under the supervision of trained professionals in a
controlled and safe environment. Additionally, more research is needed to fully
understand the potential benefits and risks of psilocybin therapy for
pancreatic cancer patients.
Psilocybin therapy protocol
General outline of how psilocybin therapy might be
conducted for cancer patients. It's essential to note that the information
provided here should not be considered medical advice, and any decisions
regarding treatment should be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare
professional.
1. Patient
Screening and Preparation:
·
Patients are carefully screened to ensure they
meet specific eligibility criteria for the therapy.
·
Detailed medical and psychiatric history is
taken to assess any potential contraindications or risks.
·
Patients are educated about the nature of
psilocybin therapy, what to expect during the experience, and potential
outcomes.
2. Set
and Setting:
·
Psilocybin therapy takes place in a safe,
supportive, and controlled environment, typically with two trained therapists
present.
·
The setting is designed to promote relaxation
and reduce external distractions, often with comforting elements like music,
art, or nature imagery.
3. Dosage
Administration:
·
A carefully measured and standardized dose of
psilocybin is administered to the patient orally. The dose is typically
determined based on the individual's body weight and therapeutic goals.
·
The patient is then encouraged to lie down,
close their eyes, and explore their inner experience.
4. Therapeutic
Support:
·
Trained therapists provide emotional support and
guidance throughout the psilocybin experience.
·
Patients are encouraged to explore their
thoughts and emotions, and therapists may facilitate discussions to help
patients process their experiences.
5. Integration:
·
Following the psilocybin session, patients
engage in integration sessions, where they discuss and make sense of their
experiences in the context of their cancer journey and overall well-being.
·
Integration is a critical aspect of psilocybin
therapy and may involve identifying insights, coping strategies, and personal
growth.
6. Follow-Up
and Support:
·
Regular follow-up sessions are conducted to
assess the long-term impact of the therapy and provide ongoing support to the
patient.
·
Patients may be encouraged to engage in
additional therapeutic practices to maintain the benefits gained from the
psilocybin experience.
