Psychedelic therapy: what it is and how it works

Psychedelic therapy is a promising intervention with broad scientific support. Institutions such as the Johns Hopkins center, for example, have been researching this approach for years; specifically, psilocybin. Experts point out that this type of resource could revolutionize the field of mental health.

Clinical trials for psychological treatment began in the 90s, with interesting results. Right now, it is known that have the ability to relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety and addictions. It should be noted, however, that the administration of these substances is carried out by professionals and in controlled environments. Continue reading to find out more.

What is psychedelic therapy?

This is one technique used by psychiatry in which psychedelic substances are used to treat different mental conditions. Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind are drugs that, like LSD, emerged between the 50s and 60s and ended up illegal. They are even linked to more than one spiritual practice with deep historical roots.

However, science has been carrying out studies regulated and approved by medical institutions for decades. For example, there are tests showing that the psilocybin It is an alkaloid with great potential for mental health. Thus, it seems that these mushrooms from tropical regions would serve as antidepressants.

A work from the University of Maryland, in Baltimore, highlights how The appearance of these treatments would represent a change in the approach to many disorders.

It should be noted that sometimes traditional approaches to major depression or post-traumatic stress are not entirely effective. In these cases, the safe administration of psychedelic compounds may make the difference between intervention success and failure.

In what areas has psychedelic therapy shown benefits?

Thanks to the trials of medical, university and pharmacological institutions The benefits of these substances are becoming increasingly known.. Its microdosing generates transformations in brain mechanisms that result in calming emotional pain, greater mental focus and a change in perception. The following are the areas in which significant improvements are identified:

Psychedelic therapy would be useful for people with addictions. Progress is noted in patients with persistent depression and anxiety. There is also relevant data in patients with terminal cancer who suffer from high existential anguish. This treatment improves your mood. Research published in The Lancet highlighted that treatment with methylenedioxymethamphetamine reduces symptoms of post-traumatic stress in military, police and firefighters, For example.

Psilocybin, an alkaloid obtained from a type of mushroom, is the most used substance in psychedelic therapy.

Types of Psychedelic Assisted Therapy

Psychedelic therapy includes different substances that have an authentic body of scientific research behind them. Although some regulatory entities generate a certain legal inertia and block progress, there is already a change of mentality in the area.

In the coming years this form of treatment would become normalized. For now, the different options that exist are detailed below.

1. Psilocybin

Psilocybin is the active compound in mushrooms and the most researched substance in the therapeutic field with psychedelics. In a magazine article Nature Medicine The potential of this alkaloid as an antidepressant is highlighted; But the truth is that the mechanisms by which this benefit is achieved are not well known.

2. LSD

Lysergic acid diethylamide causes more dynamic brain activity. This is a step towards changes in behavior and thinking. LSD is effective in treating addictions and for terminally ill patients who suffer from high anxiety.

3. Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca alters consciousness and its main substance, N,N-dimethyltryptamine or DMT, acts as a great hallucinogen. Explorations like the one published in the magazine Psychopharmacology they highlight that This form of therapy would positively regulate mood.

The therapeutic implementation of ayahuasca—in highly monitored clinical settings—indicates benefits in alcohol, cocaine, and tobacco addictions.

4. MDMA

The methylenedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA, known as ecstasy or Molly, It is a type of psychoactive synthetic drug that influences serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. It produces well-being, reduces anxiety and increases energy. In the future it would innovate in treatments for post-traumatic stress.

How are psychedelic therapies applied?

The organizations that currently study the area the most are the National Center for Biotechnology Information and the United States National Library of Medicine. For now, There is no clear, standardized regulation on how psychedelic therapy is administered.

The ingestion of these substances is carried out through microdosing; That is, in very low doses, which usually range from one tenth or even one twentieth of a normal dose. However, it is necessary to consider the following guidelines:

There is constant monitoring of possible effects. A medical selection and admission process is followed to identify the people who can benefit most from this approach. The administration of psychedelic substances is carried out by a professional specialized in this technique and in a clinical setting.The psychedelic substance is administered again two to four weeks apart. It has been seen, for example, that the effects of psilocybin in the treatment of depression usually last a month.

The Journal of Psychopharmacology notes that, apart from the positive experiences with microdoses of psychedelics, Future risk-focused investigations are relevant, no matter how small the quantities supplied. They recommend preclinical studies that encompass biological and cognitive parameters.

Some Silicon Valley workers tried psychedelic therapy, seeing how it improved their productivity.

A therapy in the making, but with gaps and contraindications

Therapy with psychedelics is not for everyone and, therefore, a rigorous analysis is carried out in each case. There are contraindications, both psychological and physiological. Thus, there are patients who are usually excluded because they are more susceptible to these effects; They are listed below:

People with schizophrenia. Patients with a history of epilepsy. Psychosis and great emotional dysregulation. Patients with cardiovascular problems.

Therefore, we are facing an approach of great scientific interest, but which is still in its initial phases. The clinical trials are encouraging, however, It is important to keep in mind that its exact mechanisms of action are still unknown.. This makes the treatments highly personalized and supervised at all times.

It is very certain that, in the coming years, a versatile and useful resource will be available in the field of mental health.

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