CancerCompass message board discussion started by Dan4th on 10/23/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,17323,0.htm Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Five months after I began working as the coordinator for a ground-breaking psychiatric clinical trial for cancer patients, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Last week, I had the last of 52 Herceptin IVs, and completed reconstruction after a bi-lateral mastectomy. My personal experience with cancer has made me more motivated than ever to get the word out about our study for treating existential anxiety.   The FDA has given us approval to work with 12 participants who have metastatic cancer of any kind as long as there is no brain or central nervous system involvement. We have completed treatment sessions for 11 participants, and we are seeking one more volunteer.   The medication is psilocybin, one of the psychoactive ingredients in "magic" mushrooms. Most people giggle the first time they hear what we're providing, but the results of the study have been quite postive so far. We provide a moderate dose in carefully facilitated sessions in a safe, supportive environment intended to help people "go within" and address deep emotional issues. Several of the people who have taken part in the trial had never been under the influence of a psychedelic drug, yet they reported helpful outcomes related to anxiety, depression, and perceptions about pain.  You can learn more at this Web site: www.clinicaltrials.gov (keyword: Grob). Two 1-night stays in a private hospital room in Los Angeles about 2 - 3 weeks apart are required. One session is with the active drug and one is with a placebo.   We have found that word-of-mouth has been our most effective recruiting source, so if you or anyone you know may be interested in participating, please contact me at our office at: (310) 222-3175. Please also keep us in mind when with speaking with care providers or support groups in the Los Angeles area.   Kind Regards, Alicia Danforth Study Coordinator Dan4th Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT