Psychedelics: Potential remedy for some psychological ailments

Psychedelics are a class of drugs that produce altered states of consciousness, often characterized by changes in perception, mood, and thought processes. Psychedelics have shown promise in the treatment of various psychological disorders, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction. Some of the most commonly used psychedelics drugs include LSD , Psilocybin , Ayahuasca , MDMA , and Ketamine .

Mechanism of action:

The mechanism of action of psychedelics involves their ability to bind to serotonin receptors in the brain, leading to altered states of consciousness, changes in perception, and shifts in mood. These effects can allow individuals to gain new insights and perspectives on their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, potentially leading to positive changes.

Psychedelic-assisted therapy involves the use of these drugs in a controlled, therapeutic setting, typically with the guidance of trained professionals such as psychiatrists or therapists. The presence of a professional is crucial to ensure the safety of the individual undergoing the therapy and to help them navigate any challenging experiences that may arise during the session.

Setting of application:

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is not only applied in medical facilities but also in other settings such as retreat centers, where individuals can undergo therapy in a supportive environment.

Benefits and drawbacks:

Potential benefits of psychedelic therapy include improved mood, reduced anxiety and depression, increased creativity, and a sense of greater connectedness with the self and the world around us. However, like any treatment, there can be side effects and risks associated with psychedelic therapy. These can include physical side effects like nausea and vomiting, as well as psychological side effects like anxiety or emotional discomfort.

While psychedelics have a relatively low potential for addiction, they are not entirely risk-free, and there have been cases where individuals have had adverse reactions to psychedelics or have died due to their use. However, when used under the supervision of trained professionals, the risk of adverse outcomes is generally low. It's important to note that psychedelic-assisted therapy is not a panacea and should not be seen as a substitute for other treatments for mental health issues. Rather, it is an emerging field that shows promise for some patients and requires careful consideration and research.

Selected international centers:

South America:

1. The Temple of the Way of Light - Iquitos, Peru - https://templeofthewayoflight.org/

2. Nihue Rao Centro Espiritual - Iquitos, Peru - https://www.nihuerao.com/

3. Soltara Healing Center - Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica - https://soltara.co/

USA:

4. The Center for Optimal Living - New York, NY https://centerforoptimalliving.com/

5. The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) - Various locations - https://maps.org/

6. The Third Wave - Various locations - https://thethirdwave.co/

Europe:

7. Synthesis Retreat - Truffles Therapy - Amsterdam, Netherlands https://synthesisretreat.com/

8. The Psychedelic Society - London, UK - https://psychedelicsociety.org.uk/

9. Mindbloom - London, UK - https://www.mindbloom.co/

10. Atman Retreat - Ibiza, Spain - https://www.atmanretreat.com/

Example of documentaries on the subject:

(1) "The Mind Explorers" - 2019 - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10647192/

(2) "DMT: The Spirit Molecule" - 2010 - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1340425/

(3) "Neurons to Nirvana: Understanding Psychedelic Medicines" - 2013 - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2245160/

References

1. Griffiths, R. R., et al. (2016). Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 30(12), 1181-1197.

2. Johnson, M. W., et al. (2014). Pilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 28(11), 983-992.

3. Sanches, R. F., et al. (2016). Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: A SPECT study. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 36(1), 77-81.

4. Tupper, K. W., et al. (2015). Psychedelic medicine: A re-emerging therapeutic paradigm. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 187(14), 1054-1059.

5. Vollenweider, F. X., & Kometer, M. (2010). The neurobiology of psychedelic drugs: Implications for the treatment of mood disorders. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 11(9), 642-651.

6. Carhart-Harris, R. L., et al. (2018). The therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs: Past, present, and future. Neuropsychopharmacology, 43(13), 271-273.

7. Grob, C. S., et al. (2011). Pilot study of psilocybin treatment for anxiety in patients with advanced-stage cancer. Archives of General Psychiatry, 68(1), 71-78.

8. Luoma, J. B., et al. (2021). Psychedelic therapy: The patient's perspective. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 61(2), 267-284.

9. Davis, A. K., et al. (2020). Effects of psilocybin-assisted therapy on major depressive disorder: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 77(11), 1100-1107.

10. Greer, G. R., & Tolbert, R. (1998). A method of conducting therapeutic sessions with MDMA. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 30(4), 371-379.

11. Mithoefer, M. C., et al. (2018). 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans, firefighters, and police officers: A randomised, double-blind, dose-response, phase 2 clinical trial. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(6), 486-497.