New survey says Canadians strongly support using psychedelics for patients at end-of-life

24 Jan 2024 --- An online survey reveals that 79% of Canadians support the use of psilocybin to treat existential distress in patients suffering from an incurable disease. While the production, sale and possession of this active ingredient from hallucinogenic mushrooms is currently prohibited in Canada, a unique access program allows people to obtain an exemption for medical or scientific reasons.

“Studies have already shown that psilocybin, combined with psychotherapy, produces rapid, robust and lasting anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in patients who have advanced cancer,” states lead researcher Michel Dorval, professor at the Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy and researcher at the CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center.

“Our results indicate that the social acceptability of this intervention is high in the Canadian population,” he comments. “If we consider only Québec respondents, the acceptability rate is similar to the national average.”

The survey included 1,000 respondents from Québec and 1,800 from Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.

Psilocybin in healthcare
The study published in Palliative Medicine specifically focused on the social acceptability of the intervention when delivered by healthcare professionals.

While nearly four out of five respondents found psilocybin-assisted therapy a reasonable medical choice for a patient suffering from existential distress at the end-of-life, 84.8% agreed that the public health system should cover the costs of the intervention. Moreover, 63.3% would welcome the legalization of the substance for medical purposes.

In Canada, doctors can apply for the exemption of psilocybin on behalf of their patients if psychotherapy, antidepressants or anxiolytics have failed or if a patient’s condition requires urgent intervention.

“This substance can bring about a profound awareness that leads the patient to view existence from a different perspective. Treatment with psilocybin, combined with psychotherapy, can produce relief for up to six months,” underscores Dorval.

The researchers hope that the survey’s findings may contribute to improving access to therapy in palliative and end-of-life care settings and mobilizing resources.

Support drivers
Survey respondents exposed to palliative care had a higher support rating for psilocybin.

“Having been close to loved ones at the end of life, or having witnessed their distress, could explain this openness to new approaches designed to help people at this stage of their life,” he suggests.

In addition, support was higher among people who previously used psilocybin.

Dorval explains: “There are still many prejudices against psychedelic substances. Familiarity with these substances probably helps better understand their true effects and therapeutic potential.”

Market and research developments
Psilocybin and other psychedelics are gaining popularity in mental health support for their effects on the brain, treatment-resistant depression and addiction.

Last year, a clinical trial on psilocybin treatment found it could clinically and significantly reduce depressive symptoms and functional disability without serious adverse events. Participants received the psychedelic combined with psychological support before, during and after dosing.

Earlier research revealed that psychedelics outperformed antidepressants, as psilocybin activates a different set of serotonin depressors instead of suppressing emotions — common effects of antidepressants.

There have also been several movements to legalize psychedelics for public use to move the “magic mushroom” into the mainstream market.

Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration has issued guidance to the industry as the use of psychedelic drugs for medical conditions gains interest and popularity. The guidance supports the development of treatments based on psychedelics and opens the discussion on the use of the products in clinical trials.

By Jolanda van Hal

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