Psychedelic Assisted Therapy - A New Frontier

For the past four months I’ve been working with psychedelic assisted therapy to support my own healing process. I’ve been nothing short of astounded by the healing power of these substances and what they have allowed me to accomplish in such a short amount of time.

As a therapist, I do feel like I (mostly) walk the walk and I’ve been deeply engaged in my own personal process for as long as I can remember. But all my years of therapy really don’t hold a candle to what I’ve experienced with these medicines. Starting this month, I’ll be immersed in a year long training in psychedelic assisted therapy so that I can begin to integrate this modality into my work with clients.

Here’s what I’ve come to know so far about these substances… They essentially allow us to drop our “stories” and immediately see our pain and challenges from a sort of aerial view. When our ego defenses and blocks are dissolved and all that’s left is the raw purity of our pain, we are able to hold that pain more gently and with genuine compassion for self. As pain is witnessed and allowed to just safely be, it is transformed and ultimately healed. Plant medicines have the power of offering us this gift in a short amount of time. The results can be intense, but deeply transformative.

Research is also showing us that psychedelics work on what’s called the “default mode network” of the brain. This is the area of the brain that locks in our experiences, conditioning, habits, and the ways in which we see ourselves. By essentially encouraging more flexibility and elasticity in this part of the brain, it’s easier for us to let go of patterns that are keeping us stuck or see more immediately that change is possible. We are seeing that these substances are changing our beliefs about ourselves and what’s possible in our lives, but they’re also literally changing the biochemistry of the brain and the way neurons communicate with one another.

Other interesting components of the psychedelic experience include experiencing a deep sense of interconnectedness to yourself, others, and the greater world around you. Many people report feeling genuine self-compassion or self-love for the first time. Others report mystical experiences and a sense of oneness with all things. Many also report decreased anxiety around pain, suffering, and fear of death.

Right now we are in a bit of a renaissance, and many believe psychedelic assisted therapies are the new frontier in treating mental health disorders. The research is currently exploding as these substances are being used to treat PTSD, OCD, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and more, all with incredible results and profoundly low risks.

So what are the substances I’m referring to? The biggest ones at the forefront of the clinical research include Ketamine, MDMA, LSD, and Psilocybin (magic mushrooms). However, research is also beginning to take a closer look at DMT, Mescaline, Sassafras, Kanna, and Ayahuasca.

If you’re interested in learning more about decriminalization and the current research and use of psychedelics in mental health, I’ve included some helpful resources below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8LRb4jfZ9g (the documentary the followed the book below)

https://www.amazon.com/Change-Your-Mind-Consciousness-Transcendence/dp/1594204225 (the book that brought it mainstream)

https://maps.org/our-research/ (peruse the research)

https://maps.org/about-maps/ (one of the organizations leading the way for the past 20 years)

https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?term=psychedelics (search for trials in your area)