Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy – Everything You Should Know
Psychedelics are considered sacred in many cultures, including by many of the indigenous communities in the continental U.S. While these plants and their effects have had a place in the cultures and customs of these people for generations, they have not been utilized as part of western medicine and traditional therapy due to the stigma related to drug use. Since the 1990s, a group of dedicated scientists and mental health researchers have been conducting safe, controlled studies of the potential benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapy. As advanced clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted therapy are coming to a close, this therapy option is likely to be more widely available in the next few years. If this is something you may be interested in, keep reading to learn a bit more about what you can expect.
What Is Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy?
Psychedelic-assisted therapy uses psychedelic drugs as part of therapy sessions. The first scientific studies about the use of psychedelics during therapy started in the 1990s. The results showed that administering prescribed amounts of psychedelics in a controlled environment can safely provoke profound psychological experiences for clients that can help them to make real, lasting change in their thinking and acting as it allows them to fully experience and process challenging emotions. There are many different psychedelic substances, but some of the psychedelics often utilized for therapy include LSD, psilocybin, ayahuasca, mescaline, and MDMA.
How Does Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Benefit Mental Health?
These sacred plants have been utilized in religious and cultural practices for centuries, but Western medicine has only started to show real interest in the last few decades. With a significant increase in mental health concerns coupled with a decrease in research related to improving or creating traditional medications for mental health, we may be poised to see a lot of therapists making use of psychedelics to support their clients. The current research has shown a positive impact in treating a range of cognitive and emotional disorders including:
Addiction and substance use disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Anxiety
Depression
Chronic stress
Is It Legal? Not yet.
Currently, several psychedelics, including psilocybin and MDMA, are in clinical trials for use during therapy sessions. Psychedelics were outlawed in the 1950s and 1970s, and they are still considered illegal substances in the U.S. At the conclusion of the third stage of clinical trials for psilocybin and MDMA, these substances are likely to be made legal when used by trained professionals for therapeutic purposes. This change in the legal status of psychedelics could happen as early as 2023.
Should I Consider Using Psychedelics as Part of My Therapy Plan?
Psychedelics are currently in clinical trials to determine their benefit in treating a number of different mental health concerns. So far, psychedelics have proven extremely beneficial in healing mental health conditions that have been resistant to therapeutic interventions, including PTSD, addictions, substance use disorders, nicotine dependence, anxiety related to chronic pain and terminal illnesses, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). As the body of research grows, we continue to learn more and more about the benefits of psychedelics in therapy. If you’ve struggle with a cognitive, emotional, or behavioral health concern that hasn’t responded to other forms of counseling, psychedelic-assisted therapy may be a good option.
How Can I Get Started or Learn More?
I’m Ashley Pichardo, a licensed mental health counselor serving New York and New Jersey. I’ve recently completed training to provide psychedelic-assisted therapy, specifically using MDMA. If you’d like to learn more about this unique therapy option, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by calling (917) 522-1418, emailing contact@aphicardotherapy.com, or filling out my scheduling form to request a free 15 minute phone consultation.
