- health
- psychology
4 terminally ill cancer patients received a prescription for an illegal drug. How did it happen?
The prescription included an ingredient found in hallucinogenic mushrooms and is known to be an effective treatment against existential anxiety that afflicts terminally ill cancer patients. Despite this, the ingredient is illegal to use. Maybe that's about to change?
Tags- Hallucinogenic mushrooms
- psychology
- cancer
Walla! health
Wednesday, 19 August 2020, 08:18- Share on Facebook
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In the last decade more and more researchers from different fields have recognized the qualities that hallucinogenic mushrooms have in the treatment that helps mental health. Recently four Canadians suffering from terminal and incurable cancer have been approved to use the psychedelic compound psilocybin to help them cope with the psychological and emotional distress associated with their illness. It is a common ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms, which is considered to be effective in treating depression and other mental health problems. However, it remains illegal in most states and cannot be registered as a medical prescription.
The ingredient has been banned in Canada since 1974, and yet the four patients have been exempted from the Canadian Medicines and Substances Act, making them the first people to legally use psilocybin in the country for nearly half a century.
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In recent years a number of small-scale studies have suggested that psilocybin may be effective in helping people overcome the anxiety, depression, and existential horror that often accompany terminal illness.
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As early as 2008, researchers at Hopkins University in Baltimore found that the "spiritual" effect of psilocybin lasted for more than a year and even helped patients with terminal illnesses and addictions. Most of the participants praised the material and said that they had a "mystical" or "spiritual" experience. A year later, most of them reported that the experience increased their overall positive feeling or sense of satisfaction from their lives.
An article published in 2016 found that these psychological symptoms were significantly reduced in up to 80 percent of patients with life-threatening cancer.
According to the current study, single treatment with psilocybin - conducted under clinical supervision - resulted in persistent decreases in depression and anxiety, with this effect still being felt about six months later. A follow-up study conducted earlier this year revealed that most of the surviving participants continued to enjoy a reduction in psychological distress for more than four years after using psilocybin.
However, until appropriate clinical trials are conducted, it is unlikely that the compound will be approved for medical use. Such studies may take time, which is why an organization called TheraPsil decided to appeal to the Government of Canada on behalf of the four patients, requesting that they be given a special permit to use the drug.
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