Psychedelic drugs have long been utilized for spiritual and cultural reasons throughout history. Ancient Greeks drank hallucinogenic drinks; Aztec people utilized psilocybin-rich mushrooms during ceremonies; while Native Americans consumed peyote to perform healing rituals.
Today, psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is only legally accessible within controlled clinical trials; however, many private providers provide this experience outside of this setting.
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Researchers developing protocols for safe and effective use of psychedelics within psychotherapy are uncovering some remarkable benefits. Ketamine has been proven to assist those suffering from depression by inhibiting their brain’s default mode network which reinforces negative thought patterns while stimulating neural plasticity (the formation of new pathways in the brain) to create new neural pathways; additionally it can even counteract damage caused by chronic stress or anxiety.
Psilocybin-assisted therapy shows equally promising results, with one recent study showing how it can effectively decrease anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts in those diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Furthermore, this compound is being used to ease discomfort caused by cancer treatments as well as conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.
Psychedelics have long been part of spiritual rituals and healing modalities, but are increasingly being explored for their potential use in treating mental health disorders like anxiety, addiction and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For successful therapy with psychedelics to work effectively it must be administered alongside conventional psychotherapists who can guide patients through their experience and help make sense of it all.
Psychotherapeutic substances–whether taken intravenously, orally or by injection–and their duration vary according to drug and therapist protocols. Prior to initiating any psychotropic-assisted therapy sessions with their therapist, patients undergo psychotherapy in order to build trust between themselves and the therapist and create strategies for dealing with potentially challenging experiences that might arise during drug experiences.
Psychonautically-assisted therapy (PAT) combines drugs and therapy into one holistic treatment model, similar to how methadone targets specific opiate receptors to combat heroin addiction or varenicline targets nicotine receptors to prevent cravings for cigarettes. Here, the therapist guides their patient through their drug experience while helping make sense of what was experienced.
Researchers like Dolen believe MDMA and other psychedelics may help us “reopen” critical windows that close throughout life, such as learning language or social reward learning. Reopening these windows allows us to reorganize memories or alter thought patterns that we no longer wish for in order to change them.
Psychotropic drugs may induce what researchers refer to as “mystical experiences.” These experiences can be profound and intense, leading to out-of-this-world sensations in patients. New senses may emerge such as hearing colors or seeing sounds; others include merging of normal senses into one.
Modern clinical trials generally consist of providing patients with both high-dose psychedelic sessions and lower-dose placebo sessions in order to minimize the impact of placebo and increase that of drug. This helps optimize its effect and maximize impact.
A therapist will prepare their patient for medication via a series of talk therapy sessions, emphasizing curiosity and remaining open to new experiences such as fear or disorientation. Furthermore, it should be noted that the benefits of psychedelics extend beyond core depressive symptomatology; improving insights and connections to others could make for significant progress for individuals living with mental illness.
Psychedelic Integration Therapy is an emerging therapeutic approach designed to assist individuals in processing their experiences with psychedelics in a safe, supportive and nonjudgmental environment. The process includes incorporating insights from these experiences into daily life using various therapeutic approaches such as mindfulness-based and Jungian therapies that explore unconscious mind symbolism as well as interpretations of Indigenous beliefs and practices that emphasize balance, healing and realigning with self.
Therapists specializing in psychedelic integration provide their clients with a safe space to openly express their emotions and thoughts without fear of judgment, as well as make sense of transformational experiences they’ve had and help leverage those discoveries into long-lasting change.
Studies are being conducted into the potential benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapy in treating mental health conditions like depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety; however, due to limited availability, many who would benefit don’t have access to it.
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