Psychedelic therapies are novel approaches to addiction and mental disorder treatments. A growing body of scientific research indicates that psychedelic treatments may effectively treat specific individuals, but concerns remain. Therefore, knowing whether psychedelic-assisted therapy is right for you or a loved one can be difficult.
Read on to learn more about psychedelic therapies, how they work, and whether they are legal.
What Are Psychedelic Therapies?
Psychedelic therapy involves using psychedelic drugs or substances to induce altered states of mind and change brain chemistry in patients. In most cases, psychedelic therapy uses talk therapy in conjunction with psychedelic drugs, which alter consciousness.
Psychedelic therapy is currently in studies for use in treating things like addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, and other mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. Depending on the subject and the treatment focus, therapists may recommend or provide psychedelic drugs, including:
- Ketamine
- LSD
- DMT
- MDMA
- Psilocybin (the primary component in “magic mushrooms”)
Some psychedelics are dissociative and/or hallucinogenic. For example, psilocybin induces mind-altering experiences, resulting in emotional epiphanies, visual and audio hallucinations, and “revelations” about oneself or the universe.
Despite their potential appeal and reputation in pop culture, questions remain about the safety of psychedelics and dissociative drugs and their effectiveness.
Are Psychedelic Therapies Effective for Treating Addiction?
Currently, many universities and clinics are in the middle of intense, long-term trials studying the effectiveness of psychedelic treatments. Psychedelic therapies are thought to be effective because they alter the brain’s chemistry in some way or unlock new neural pathways to literally “rewire” one’s mind.
For example, some psychedelic drugs trigger the release of serotonin and other hormones in the mind. Because serotonin and these hormones can impact things like mood, worldview, and risk of addiction, it’s thought that psychedelics can help individuals break out of harmful behavior patterns or toxic cycles.1
However, these effects are frequently conflated or confused by confounding factors. For example, exercise can also release endorphins and other hormones – if a patient hypothetically exercises before taking a psychedelic drug, it can be difficult to attribute a positive change in mindset to the drug itself or the exercise before meeting with the therapist.
Put another way, psychedelic therapies might be effective, but the brain is so complex that any successes cannot be entirely attributed to their ingestion or absorption.
How Does Psychedelic Therapy Work?
Psychedelic therapy typically works through three essential stages.
First, the patient completes a preparatory consultation phase to ensure they have no issues or allergies to the treatment or prescribed psychedelic drugs.
Next, in the ingestion phase, the patient ingests (via injection or oral consumption) the psychedelic substance in question. Ingestion takes place under the guidance and supervision of a trained therapist. The therapist knows what to look for and how to assist the patient.
The patient goes through a psychedelic session. The therapist usually listens to the patient talk and only intervenes if necessary by offering support, holding the patient’s hand, etc.
Lastly, in the integration phase, the patient and their therapist discuss what they experienced and integrate meaning from the psychedelic “trip.”
Pros and Cons of Psychedelic Therapies
Psychedelic therapies have several potential advantages and possible downsides.
Pros of Psychedelics
- Psychedelics may work for those suffering from addiction or substance abuse disorders where other therapies have not.
- There is some evidence that psychedelic drugs may help to resolve mental health disorders caused by neurological conditions or brain development.
- Psychedelic drugs may be safe when administered properly, especially as more research is performed and scientists learn more about how these drugs work.
Cons of Psychedelics
- Some psychedelic drugs can cause physical side effects. For instance, psilocybin may cause headaches or elevated blood pressure, while LSD may cause long-term side effects like hallucinogen persisting perception disorder or HPPD. 2
- Because psychedelic drugs are so intense, they can cause individuals to dissociate dangerously. Thus, they must be administered or taken under the supervision of someone trained to handle patients under the effects of these drugs.
- Psychedelics are currently not accessible to the average patient, so those who may benefit from these drugs do not have access to them.
Are Psychedelic Therapies Legal?
Psychedelic therapy is not legal at the federal level. All psychedelic drugs are still illegal at the federal level in any context, meaning that only scientists and certain university students may safely use and administer psychedelic treatments to patients.
Furthermore, many students train to facilitate psychedelic sessions without drug access. Given these legal restrictions, whether psychedelics will become a cornerstone of addiction recovery programs remains unclear.
Contact Desert Cove Recovery
Psychedelic therapies may be effective for some, but the scientific community has not yet determined their efficacy and risks. Fortunately, psychedelic treatment is not your only option for overcoming substance abuse or addiction.
At Desert Cove Recovery, you can join various comprehensive, supportive outpatient programs, including detox programs, 12-step recovery programs, and holistic recovery programs focusing on improving the overall quality of life. We’re sure we can help with your recovery journey, so contact Desert Cove Recovery today.
Sources:
[1] https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/story/how-do-psychedelic-treatments-work [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4592297/
