Psychedelic therapy refers to the use of psychedelic substances, such as magic mushrooms (psilocybin), LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), ayahuasca, or mescaline, for the purpose of mental health treatment. Research has been conducted on the potential benefits and risks of using psychedelics in a controlled and therapeutic setting. This article will explore the benefits, risks, and current research related to psychedelic therapy.
Benefits of Psychedelic Therapy
Several studies have been conducted on the use of psychedelics in therapy, and many have reported promising results. For instance, research shows that psychedelics may be effective in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction.
In one study published in 2016, participants with treatment-resistant depression were given psilocybin, with 67% of them showing a reduction in depressive symptoms after one week. The study also found that 42% of participants maintained these benefits for up to three months after the treatmentsource.
Likewise, another study from 2016 found that psilocybin-assisted therapy could substantially reduce anxiety and depression in individuals diagnosed with life-threatening cancersource.
Psychedelic therapy has also been shown to be effective in treating addiction. For example, a 2018 pilot study found that psilocybin-assisted therapy was effective at reducing alcohol use in participants struggling with alcohol dependencesource. Similarly, a separate study from 2020 reported a significant reduction in cigarette smoking in participants who underwent psilocybin-assisted therapy, with 67% maintaining abstinence after 12 monthssource.
Another area of interest is microdosing, the practice of taking sub-perceptual doses of a psychedelic substance. Although research on microdosing is still relatively new, some studies suggest it could potentially benefit mental health. A recent review of the literature on microdosing found that it appears to have the potential to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety but stressed the need for more researchsource.
Risks of Psychedelic Therapy
Despite the potential benefits of psychedelic therapy, there are risks associated with its use. One concern is the potential for negative or frightening experiences, also known as “bad trips.” According to a survey study conducted in 2020, 84% of respondents reported experiencing challenging experiences during a psychedelic sessionsource.
Another potential risk is the exacerbation of pre-existing mental health conditions. It is recommended that individuals with a personal or family history of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, should avoid taking psychedelic substances. This is because psychedelics have been known to trigger symptoms of psychosis in vulnerable individualssource.
Additionally, long term use of psychedelic substances may lead to persistent perceptual changes, known as hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). This rare condition manifests as ongoing visual disturbances, such as seeing halos around lights or experiencing sudden flashes of colorsource.
Although the risks of psychedelic therapy should be considered, research suggests that when used in a controlled, therapeutic environment, the incidence of adverse effects is relatively lowsource.
Clinical Trials and Ongoing Research
Research on psychedelic therapy has been accelerating in recent years, with various clinical trials underway to assess the efficacy and safety of substances such as psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA for the treatment of mental health disorders.
One notable organization spearheading this research is the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). Among the studies they are currently conducting, one phase 3 clinical trial is investigating the efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSDsource.
The use of psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression is also being explored in a phase 2 trial led by the COMPASS Pathwayssource.
Conclusion
Psychedelic therapy has been gaining traction in recent years, with numerous scientific studies demonstrating its potential benefits for mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction. However, it also comes with risks, such as the potential for exacerbating pre-existing conditions and experiencing negative or challenging experiences during a session. Further research and clinical trials are necessary to establish the optimal therapeutic methods and to determine the efficacy and safety of these substances for the treatment of mental health disorders.
