short documentary: NYU psilocybin cancer anxiety research

February 27, 2015 12:34 AM

Eddie Marritz, a cinematographer and photographer in remission from small-cell carcinoma, was a participant in one of NYU's Psilocybin Cancer Anxiety research studies. Marritz, and the researchers, take us through the experience. Magic Mushrooms and the Healing Trip. (7 min)

Another, slightly longer (11 min) video, featuring another participant: A Patient Speaks.

NYU Psilocybin Cancer Anxiety Study: FAQ

posted by paleyellowwithorange (7 comments total)

Eddie seems like a great guy. That is one hell of a good advertisement for getting off your face when confronting terminal illness.
posted by colie at 2:01 AM on February 27, 2015 [1 favorite]

Previously (or perhaps that should be Flashback...)
posted by Devonian at 3:18 AM on February 27, 2015

"getting off your face"

I initially interpreted this comment as disparaging to the healing work discussed in the OP, but upon further reflection it now seems a most apropos turn of phrase.
posted by fairmettle at 3:43 AM on February 27, 2015

Thanks so much for posting this! I'm working with Eddie next week and wouldn't have known about this.

Beautiful little piece, I hope it helps the approval process for this treatment.
posted by rock swoon has no past at 5:42 AM on February 27, 2015 [1 favorite]

I will have to watch this later, but a good friend of mine was diagnosed last fall with stage 4 breast cancer and her anxiety was off the charts. She also has a history of alcoholism which she is very upfront about, which led to her original pain doctor assuming that her reported symptoms were merely drug seeking behavior. It was horrible to see her suffer. Fortunately she went to live with a sister in another city where she was taken seriously (although she's not on psilocybin) and is now much, much better.

So, just the attitude that 'yeah, just a diagnosis of advanced cancer in and of itself can make symptoms worse' is a relief to hear.
posted by maggiemaggie at 7:02 AM on February 27, 2015 [2 favorites]

I hope to one day see studies determining if it is as efficacious for treating general anxiety and massive depression disorders as it is for treating acute depression and anxiety among terminal cancer patients.
posted by scunning at 7:19 AM on February 27, 2015 [2 favorites]

Don't skip the second video listed - the lady is a patient and a therapist, and offers an added perspective on the experience.

Of all the lost opportunities that the War on Drugs caused, the ban on study of these drugs for therapy is criminal. The number of people whose mental anguish could have been relieved and wasn't is heart breaking.
posted by Enron Hubbard at 9:05 AM on February 27, 2015 [3 favorites]