Year: 2025
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This literature review looks at how psilocybin, the active compound in "magic mushrooms," can help people deal with death anxiety; the deep fear of dying or losing control that shows up in lots of mental health struggles. While traditional treatments like SSRIs and talk therapy work for some people, they don't always get to the root of the problem. Psilocybin works differently. It changes brain activity, especially in networks tied to repetitive, self-focused thinking, as well as creates powerful, emotional experiences that help people rethink how they see life and death. This paper covers recent research showing how one or two sessions of psilocybin-assisted therapy can lead to long-lasting anxiety relief, especially for people facing terminal illnesses. It also attempts to explain why the therapy works, what it feels like, and who it could possibly help in the future, including people without a diagnosis who still struggle with existential fear. Overall, the goal is to show that psilocybin offers more than just symptom relief; it helps people reconnect with themselves and find meaning, even in the face of death.
DOI: 10.15760/honors.1734
Author: Swain, Annabelle
Institution: Portland State University
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4416922186
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