Psychedelic Therapy Guide: Types, Process, Benefits & Risks

Understanding Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

Psychedelic-assisted therapy utilizes hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin, ketamine and MDMA combined with psychotherapy sessions to treat a variety of mental health conditions. This cutting-edge field, also called psychedelic therapy, shows immense promise. However, these powerful mind-altering compounds also carry risks.

What is Psychedelic Therapy?

Psychedelic therapy combines professionally supervised psychedelic sessions with psychotherapy treatment. The goal is to use the unique mental state induced by hallucinogens to enhance therapeutic outcomes.

Psychedelics are not a panacea. But an increasing body of research indicates they can be highly effective at treating addictions, PTSD, depression, anxiety and other conditions when used appropriately.

Mechanisms and Effects of Psychedelics

Compounds like psilocybin, LSD and ayahuasca alter neurotransmitter networks which induce an altered state of consciousness. This trip features changes in sensory perception, mood, cognition and sense of self.

Therapeutic mechanisms of psychedelics include:

• Loosening and altering habitual cognitive patterns
• Enabling experiences of catharsis, spirituality and connectedness
• Increasing openness and suggestibility

Profound realizations, fresh perspectives and heightened emotions experienced during sessions allow psychotherapeutic breakthroughs. But without proper set, setting and support, psychedelics also carry risks.

Types of Psychedelics Used in Therapy

Psilocybin

Psilocybin is the psychoactive compound occurring naturally in various mushrooms species. After ingesting psilocybin, physical sensations shift and visual perception changes. Users may experience euphoria, new thought patterns and altered self-awareness.

In clinical settings, synthetic psilocybin is administered in capsule form. Doses range from 10 to 40 mg depending on patient goals and previous experience with psychedelics. Effects begin within 30 minutes, peak around 2 hours and diminish after about 6 hours.

MDMA

MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine), commonly called Molly or Ecstasy, is a synthetic psychoactive drug inducing feelings of euphoria, intimacy and empathy. Illicitly it is used recreationally in party settings.

In psychedelic therapy, pure MDMA allows patients to revisit past traumas without extreme discomfort. It enhances the therapeutic alliance between patient and therapist. Doses of 75 to 125 mg are typical.

Ketamine

Ketamine hydrochloride is used medically as an anesthetic and pain reliever. In lower, sub-anesthetic doses, ketamine induces dream-like states, sensory changes and detached self-awareness.

For depression and PTSD, intravenous ketamine is administered in a medical setting. Psychedelic effects onset rapidly but only last 1-2 hours. Repeat IV treatments are often necessary to sustain antidepressant effects.

5-MeO-DMT

5-MeO-DMT is a potent psychoactive compound present in the venom of Bufo toads and some plants. It is emerging as a therapeutic option at specialized treatment centers.

When vaporized, 5-MeO-DMT triggers a intense but short psychedelic surge lasting 5 to 20 minutes. This flood of novel insights, perspectival shifts and ego dissolution can enable profound healing per some researchers.

Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Process

Screening and Preparation

Thorough medical screening ensures psychedelics are appropriate and safe for a given patient. Certain mental health conditions may render psychedelics risky in some cases.

Creating a trusting connection between therapist and patient is crucial prior to psychedelic sessions. Preparatory therapy explores patient history, establishes goals and teaches coping strategies for challenging moments.

Dosing Sessions

In dosing sessions, patients take measured oral doses of psilocybin or MDMA. Alternatively IV infusions or inhaled 5-MeO-DMT are administered. These sessions may take place individually or in small groups.

With eyeshades and music, patients turn focus inward. Therapists provide empathetic support during the 6 to 8 hour session. Difficult moments may arise amid joy, self-realization and visions.

By processing emerging thoughts, memories and sensations, psychedelics allow destructive patterns to become unstuck. Patients gain new understanding about lifelong struggles with conditions like addiction, depression or end-of-life distress.

Integration Therapy

The real therapeutic work begins after dosing sessions end. Through talk therapy, therapists help patients integrate pivotal insights, spiritual awakenings and cathartic releases.

By analyzing psychedelic session content and relating it back to real life circumstances, people clarify new perspectives. The heaviest lifting occurs during months-long integration as positive neural and lifestyle changes solidify.

Current State of Psychedelic Therapy Research

Despite psychedelic therapys promising results, current research remains in early phases. Psilocybin and MDMA are classified as Schedule I illegal substances, which hinders additional studies.

Yet the compelling evidence thus far is prompting policy changes. In 2021, the FDA granted breakthrough status to MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. Several cities also decriminalized psychedelics. If trends continue, psychedelic medicine may one day enter mainstream psychiatry.

Promising Indications

Research indicates psychedelics may help treat:

• Addiction: Psilocybin helps prevent relapse and supports sobriety.
• Depression and Anxiety: Rapid reductions in symptoms are common.
• PTSD: MDMA-assisted therapy has exceptionally high remission rates in trials thus far.
• End-of-Life Distress: Single psilocybin session substantially decrease anxiety for terminally ill patients.

The multidimensional insights and personal growth catalyzed by psychedelic therapy appears to help rewire destructive neural patterns underlying these disorders.

Established Psychedelic Clinics

While not yet widely available, a number of psychedelic-focused clinics have recently opened including:

• Usona Institute in Wisconsin
• MAPS Phase 3 Clinics across Canada and the United States
• Mindbloom Psychedelic Therapy Centers in several major US cities

These facilities are at the cutting edge of psychedelic medicine. They offer legal psilocybin, MDMA and ketamine-assisted therapies through FDA sanctioned clinical trials and other permitted means.

Risks and Considerations of Psychedelic-Based Therapy

Despite promising benefits, psychedelics present risks requiring caution. Environment and mental health history play central roles in determining patient outcomes. Working with properly trained psychedelic therapists is critical.

Common Challenging Experiences

So-called bad trips sometimes occur, marked by anxiety, fear, confusion or paranoia. While difficult, with proper set and setting these challenging moments often provide therapeutic breakthroughs when processed appropriately.

Trained guides know how to talk patients through turbulent emotions to a place of insight and relief. Trust between patient and therapist mitigates against lasting negative effects.

Physical and Psychological Risks

Potential adverse reactions include:

• Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
• Nausea, dizziness, fatigue and shakes
• Exacerbation of certain psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia
• Derealization and anxiety beyond the session in some cases

These negative outcomes appear rare in clinical settings compared to recreational use reports. But the powerful effects of psychedelics when not used judiciously should not be discounted.

Obtaining Legal Psychedelic Care

Seeking underground psychedelic healing services can be dangerous without verifying therapist qualifications, sourcing of compounds, or session safety protocols. Patients risk exposure to adulterated substances, unscreened mental health complications, or set/settings unsuitable for emotional vulnerability.

Yet a few legitimate clinics currently provide legal access to psychedelic medicine through research trials or special exceptions. By exercising patience and due diligence, one can pursue promising psychedelic therapies safely.

If you or a loved one wrestle with addiction, depression, PTSD or other disorders not improving with conventional treatments, actualizing the healing promise of psychedelics in a responsible manner may offer new hope.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.