Chemical in magic mushroom ‘may help’ with dying fear

A PSYCHOACTIVE chemical found in magic mushrooms could “revolutionise care homes” by helping people get over their fear of dying, an expert believes.

Psilocybin, the psychoactive chemical in magic mushrooms, is being increasingly investigated as a form of therapy to treat depression, anxiety and other mental health issues.

Mounting evidence shows it can help people for whom other forms of medication and therapy fail and it has also been shown to help people face their fear of death. In Canada, like in the UK, psilocybin is illegal. But, unlike in Britain, Canada’s health authorities have issued an exemption to allow endof-life patients to apply for the drug to improve their quality of life.

Dr David Luke, a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Greenwich, believes the UK should follow this example and put a caveat in the current law to allow the drug to be used as therapy in palliative care.

“[Psychedelics] do seem to be, based on the initial data, beneficial in helping people deal with end of life existential fear and anxiety,” he said.