Experimental Therapies — Legal & Safety Notice

Several therapies listed (psilocybin, MDMA, ketamine) are controlled substances in most countries. This information is educational only.

This therapy is currently available only within authorised clinical trials or licensed research programmes. Do not attempt outside a supervised therapeutic setting.

If you are in crisis, please contact a crisis line immediately. USA: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — UK: Samaritans 116 123 — IN: iCall 9152987821

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Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy

Psychedelic-Assisted

Clinical trials specifically in cancer patients

strong evidenceResearch / Trials

Psilocybin-assisted therapy has produced some of the most compelling results in cancer psychology. Landmark double-blind RCTs at Johns Hopkins and NYU (2016, 2022) showed that a single high-dose psilocybin session produced rapid, substantial, and sustained reductions in depression, anxiety, and existential distress in cancer patients effects that persisted for 612 months after one or two sessions. Participants reported mystical-type experiences that profoundly shifted their relationship with mortality, fear, and suffering. This is now considered a breakthrough therapy for cancer-related existential distress.

Conditions Addressed

Existential DistressEnd-of-Life AnxietyDepressionAnxietyFear of DeathLoss of Meaning

How It Works

Psilocybin is converted to psilocin in the body, which acts as a 5-HT2A serotonin receptor agonist. This disrupts the default mode network (DMN) the brain's self-referential 'ego' network temporarily dissolving the sense of a fixed, bounded self. This 'ego dissolution' correlates with mystical experience and a profound reframing of one's relationship with death, identity, and suffering. Neuroplasticity is increased in the days following a session, making psychological insight more accessible.

What a Session Looks Like

13 supervised sessions (68 hours each) in a clinical setting, with trained therapists present throughout. Extensive preparation sessions (48 hours) before the experience and integration sessions (48 hours) after are essential to outcomes. NOT recreational the therapeutic container is critical.

Cautions & Considerations

Currently legal only in research settings and a small number of licensed therapy centres (Oregon, Colorado USA; some countries)
Contraindicated in personal or family history of psychosis or schizophrenia
Avoid with lithium risk of seizures
Serotonin syndrome risk with SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs must taper off medications before session
Cardiovascular monitoring required transient blood pressure and heart rate elevation
Challenging psychological experiences ('difficult trips') possible proper therapeutic container is essential
Not suitable for individuals with severe personality disorders without specialist assessment

PubMed Research

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