Scientists recommend taking psychedelic drugs to ease the transition into death for those with terminal diseases like cancer.
A hallucinogenic drug known as psilocybin is the active ingredient found in magic mushrooms. A single dose of this drug combined with psychotherapy could reduce anxiety and depression among those suffering from cancer, and this effect can last for more than six months, according to researchers from the Johns Hopkins University and NYU Langone Medical Center.
In the 1960s, psilocybin and other psychedelic drugs were banned by the government, but the physiological effects of these drugs have prompted more studies to explore their potential benefits in therapy.
Cancer patients often develop overwhelming feelings of depression and anxiety. Antidepressants are often ineffective in treating these conditions. Recent studies suggest that psilocybin can help as an alternative therapy.
Researchers conducted two trials with 80 patients suffering from cancer and plagued by constant anxiety and depression.
In the first trial, volunteers participated in taking a single high dosage of psilocybin or a low placebo-like dosage of psilocybin during psychotherapy sessions. After several weeks of this session, they participated in the second session with a low dose of psilocybin. The second clinical trial was carried out in a similar manner but Vitamin B3 was used as a placebo.
The volunteers were lying down on couches, blindfolded while listening to music. They were also aided by researchers during the trials to focus on inner experiences.
Researchers assessed their responses by examining their physiological and psychological reactions such as heart rate and blood pressure and by answering questionnaires. These sessions were carried out in a span of six months. At the end of these trials, family and friends were asked about the participant's wellbeing.
The results from the two trials revealed that psilocybin was effective in immediately decreasing anxiety and depression and can even improving moods. Apart from this, it significantly increased the overall quality of life of the patients by making them more optimistic in accepting death. About 80 percent of the participants attested to these benefits and experienced them well after six months.
According to the lead author of the study, Roland Griffiths of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the key to these successful psilocybin trials is this "sense of unity" or a feeling that everything is connected at some level.
He explains that after this kind of experience, people often feel that they have learned something valuable, with deep meaning to them. This somehow triggers changes in their approach to life and how they interact with others, leading to more value systems within that experience.
The researchers say that there were no serious side effects after the trials although there were reports of headaches, nausea, and transient anxiety.
This new study was published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.