A group of scientists from Texas has highlighted the potential of psilocybin, the active compound found in magic mushrooms, in helping patients suffering from advanced cancer find relief, according to a recent report published in the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer. This represents a shift in both the medical community and Texas’s attitude towards the potential therapeutic applications of mind-altering substances.
Researchers at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston will conduct a study next year to investigate whether psilocybin can improve the mental health of the growing number of patients living with advanced cancers. This new group of patients, known as long-haulers, did not exist a decade ago due to limited treatment options.
Cancer biologist Amit Moran from MD Anderson stated that targeted cancer treatments have extended the lifespan of patients with advanced cancers, allowing them to live for several years. However, many of these patients experience anxiety, depression, and existential crisis.
Specifically, women with late-stage ovarian cancer face overwhelming anxiety and existential distress as they confront the possibility of a painful death and leaving their loved ones behind.
The research team aims to determine whether psilocybin can alleviate these symptoms and enable patients to regain functionality and improve their quality of life. They hope to replicate the positive effects observed in terminally ill patients who received psychedelics for existential distress.
This renewed interest in psychedelic compounds, including psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine, marks a renaissance in their medical applications. Although these substances differ in structure and how they interact with the brain, they share the ability to help patients reframe their relationship with challenging life circumstances rapidly.
Recent studies have shown that psychedelics can have positive effects on existential and spiritual well-being, quality of life, acceptance, and reduction of anxiety and depression in terminally ill patients. Additionally, a single dose of psilocybin has been found to produce long-lasting increases in mindfulness for healthy individuals.
Texas, traditionally known for its conservative stance, has embraced psychedelic research due to its significant number of veterans suffering from emotional and mental scars. The state’s legislature passed a bipartisan law in 2021 authorizing the study of MDMA, ketamine, and psilocybin for various physical and emotional ailments.
For example, a study is currently underway to investigate whether psilocybin can alleviate post-traumatic stress disorders in veterans. This bipartisan support for psychedelic therapies reflects a shift in public opinion, with individuals being more willing to explore alternative treatments.
Although psychedelic research is still in its early stages, the potential benefits for cancer patients are promising. Currently, there are only 79 active clinical trials in the country exploring psychedelics, with only a dozen focusing on cancer, specifically terminal cases. Cancer treatments can prolong patients’ lives, but the goal of psychedelic treatments is to help patients regain functionality and improve their overall quality of life.
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