A type of psychiatric procedure known as “psychedelic therapy” (also known as “psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy,” or PAP), involves ingesting a psychedelic substance as part of a psychotherapeutic process Psychedelic Drugs to Treat Mental Illness.
Talk therapy is frequently combined with the use of psychedelics in psychedelic therapy. In both clinical and nonclinical settings, a variety of consciousness-altering psychedelic drugs are currently being used or studied for therapeutic purposes. Some of them, including psilocybin (magic mushrooms), DMT, peyote, ayahuasca, and ibogaine, are derived from plants. Others are chemical substances, like ketamine, MDMA, and LSD.
Psychedelic therapy is comparatively new in Western clinical settings, despite Indigenous communities using them in therapeutic and religious contexts for centuries.
With the increased legalization of some psychedelic substances, an increase in mental health issues, and a slowdown in psychopharmacological research, it is growing in popularity.
For what it is used?
Before former President Richard Nixon banned them with the Controlled Substances Act in the 1970s, scientists produced a wealth of evidence between the 1950s and 1970s that both verified and suggested the therapeutic potential of psychedelic therapy to treat:
- addiction
- mental health issues like anxiety and depression
- (PTSD) post-traumatic stress disorder
Additional research has been fueled in recent years by renewed interest and investment, much of which is still ongoing. Here are some examples of possible applications for various psychedelics.
Ketamine
The most extensively researched psychedelic drug for mental health therapy is ketamine.
Numerous studies looking into its potential to treat depression have found that it is helpful in low doses, but its effects are transient. Research indicates that patients with severe depression, for instance, significantly improve after therapy, and effects typically last 6 to 8 weeks.
These discoveries prompted the creation of the medication Spravato. The ketamine ingredient is delivered as a nasal spray. However, administering ketamine intravenously is thought to be more efficient and less expensive.
MDMA -Psychedelic Drugs to Treat Mental Illness
phase 2 clinical trials in numerous studies MDMA may be used to treat PTSD symptoms for up to 4 years, according to tests that are used to determine whether a treatment is effective.
MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD has also successfully completed a phase 3 trial, which assesses whether a treatment is superior to those already available. This was a psychedelic-assisted therapy’s first phase 3 trial. After three treatments, 67 percent of the 90 participants with severe PTSD no longer met the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis, and 88 percent of them experienced fewer PTSD symptoms.
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, which sponsored the trial, claims that the outcomes might pave the way for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval by 2023.
Psilocybin
The primary component of magic mushrooms, psilocybin, has demonstrated efficacy in treating depression and anxiety in patients with terminal illnesses. More research is required, but experts think it might also help with addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and treatment-resistant depression.
LSD -Psychedelic Drugs to Treat Mental Illness
LSD, a potent, long-lasting psychedelic that is regarded as the model for therapeutic psychedelics, has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety and alcohol use disorder in patients with terminal illnesses.
How it’s done – Psychedelic Drugs to Treat Mental Illness
The precise dosage, the number of sessions required, and the method of psychedelic therapy will differ depending on the clinician who is directing you at this time as clinicians are still assessing the efficacy of their treatments.
However, the majority of psychedelic therapy in clinical settings involves three stages:
Consultation
A preliminary consultation is typically the first step to make sure you have no medical conditions that would make the treatment inappropriate. This is also a good time to talk about your personal history, as well as any objectives or worries you may have regarding psychedelic therapy.
Ingestion
The second stage entails ingesting the psychedelic drug either orally or intravenously while being watched over by a qualified therapist. Depending on the psychedelic type and the treatment strategy, there are typically several sessions. For instance:
- At least three sessions are usually required for MDMA-assisted therapy.
- A ketamine-assisted therapy regimen consists of one to twelve sessions.
- In most cases, psilocybin and LSD are used in at least two sessions of therapy.
Integration
The process of integration is the last stage, during which the client and the therapist collaborate to extract meaning from the psychedelic experiences.
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Are there any risks?
Some experts have expressed concern about the rise in self-medication, particularly in light of the 2020 Global Drug Survey findings that more people are using psychedelics to self-treat a variety of mental health issues.
Many of these worries are caused by the lack of medical supervision as well as the potential for contamination of substances that don’t come from a lab. Ibogaine raises some issues, such as a potential connection to potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias. It has thus far only been used in observational trials with an emphasis on treating opioid addiction.
Additionally, there is a chance of hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), especially with LSD use. This is a rare condition that causes severe hallucinations and flashbacks. However, experts point out that this seems to occur more frequently when using drugs unsupervised by a doctor.
Discovering an Expert – Psychedelic Medicine for Mental Illness
The potential of psychedelic therapies has generated a lot of interest. Many new therapists, gurus, international retreats, and clinics are emerging as a result.
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) provides a valuable resource for individuals seeking to participate in expert-supported psychedelic-assisted treatment within a clinical setting. Start your journey by exploring MAPS’ licensed therapist database. The association welcomes inquiries or worries about psychedelic therapy, and it can offer suggestions to help.
Bottom Line
Even though there is still much to learn about the potential of psychedelic therapy. What is known so far is encouraging, especially for people with severe PTSD.
In order to increase access and opportunities for research, advocates and lobbyists are working to decriminalize some psychedelic substances. Keep checking back because these treatment options change every week.
The Promise and Challenges of Using Psychedelic Drugs to Treat Mental Illness
- Additionally, there is mounting evidence that psychedelic drugs differ from addictive drugs in how they affect the brain. And proponents have long called for their legalization. Psychedelics are still costly and challenging to obtain legally, unless you’re a participant in a study looking at mental health.
- These medications do carry risks and are not all created equal. They both have the capacity to induce an altered state of consciousness, also known as a trip. That effect can be enlightening or downright terrifying, depending on your perspective.
- People have begun micro dosing smaller amounts at regular intervals to avoid these experiences. And to reap the benefits these medications can provide. But they frequently do so without professional guidance. And some are still unaware of the significant drawbacks and scant evidence of benefits.