There seem to be treatments for most diagnoses, but the available treatments don’t work for everyone. Mental health disorders are known to be quite stubborn, and many people spend years searching for effective medication, therapists, or a combination thereof.
Psychedelic medicine was previously taboo, but the demand is rising. Recently, research on psychedelics and mental health has sparked a revolution.
Continue reading to learn:
- The basics of psychedelics
- Common psychedelics
- Psychedelic medicine
- Psychedelic research
- How to invest in psychedelics
What Are Psychedelics?
Psychedelics are known as psychoactive drugs, which means they affect a person’s mind. They can cause changes in perception, mood, and cognitive functioning.
Although they don’t cause a person to lose their sense of reality, they do heighten the senses. Everything that is truly happening seems more dramatic than it typically would.
Serotonergic drugs, like psychedelics, alter the functioning of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that plays an essential role in emotions.
A Quick History
Psychedelics were explored as a medical treatment in the 1950s and ‘60s, but studies ended abruptly in the ‘70s. Then, in 2000, treatments were re-evaluated.
In the 1960s, testing standards were lower than they are today. However, these studies suggested that those with obsessive-compulsive disorder, addiction, and affective disorders could experience less extreme symptoms after treatment with psychedelics. On the other hand, those with schizophrenia likely experience more intense psychotic symptoms, such as delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia.
In 1970, President Richard Nixon signed the Controlled Substance Act into law, which ruled that possessing or dealing psychedelics would result in the harshest punishment associated with drugs.
What Are Some Commonly-Used Psychedelics?
The following is a list of the most common psychedelics:
- LSD
- Peyote
- PCP
- Psilocybin Mushrooms
- MDMA
- Cannabis
- Ketamine
- Salvia Divinorum
- DXM
How Do Psychedelics Work With Assisted Therapy?
Psychedelics are most commonly tested as a treatment for mental health disorders to accompany psychotherapy.
What Does ‘Set and Setting’ Mean?
Possibly the most critical aspects of psychedelic-assisted therapy, or PAP, are known as ‘set and setting.’
‘Set’ refers to the patient’s mindset before beginning the use of psychedelics. It is crucial that the psychotherapist fully understands the patient’s needs and mental state before suggesting the use of psychedelics.
A person’s mindset can be influenced by several factors, including beliefs, cultural influences, and past experiences. There are significant risks, so this treatment is not suitable for everyone.
Because psychedelics heighten patients’ sense of reality, the wrong setting can send them on a ‘bad trip.’ In the case of an overwhelming or fear-inducing environment, the patient may become paranoid.
What Are the Steps of PAP?
Most patients will follow these steps throughout their treatment:
- Consultation
- Here, the psychotherapist evaluates any possible ways in which a psychedelic may harm the patient. The two parties will discuss the patient’s history and goals for PAP.
- Ingestion
- A therapist oversees the patient as they orally ingest or inject the psychedelic. Based on the specific psychedelic used, the patient may return for subsequent sessions in which the drug will be ingested again.
- For example, MDMA usually requires three or more sessions, ketamine will generally involve as few as one session or as many as 12, and psilocybin or LSD treatments are typically provided for two or more sessions.
- Integration
- The psychotherapist and patient must come together to determine the meaning of the patient’s psychedelic experience.
- A therapist oversees the patient as they orally ingest or inject the psychedelic. Based on the specific psychedelic used, the patient may return for subsequent sessions in which the drug will be ingested again.
What Can Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Help Treat?
Most research suggests that those with addiction misuse disorder, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder can benefit. Some scientists are hopeful that psychedelics can improve Alzheimer’s Disease, as well.
Current Psychedelic Research
Johns Hopkins received regulatory approval to study the use of psychedelics with healthy volunteers in 2000. This was the first approval of its type in the United States. Since then, the goal of Johns Hopkins psychedelic research has been to study the reaction between psychedelics and behavior, mood, cognition, brain function, and biological markers of health.
Psychedelics and Mental Health
Upon following up with participants of PAP after 12 months of treatment, researchers at Johns Hopkins found that the antidepressant effects of psilocybin were still present. Thus, it is likely that psilocybin can provide long-term results for those with major depression.
Additionally, none of the participants had engaged in recreational use of psychedelics during those 12 months, hinting that the treatment does not lead to addiction.
Psychedelics and Addiction
A study of psychedelics and addiction found that 80% of participants in PAP had stopped smoking cigarettes for six months after treatment.
Those who quit smoking reported better experiences while using psilocybin than those who continued smoking. However, all were given the same drug at the same dosage. This suggests that personal experiences during treatment directly affect the outcome.
Psychedelics and Alzheimer’s Disease
Based upon research in 2021, early data suggests psychedelics can reverse brain atrophy and increase brain function for those with Alzheimer’s Disease. Additionally, the treatment can ease symptoms of depression and anxiety for those in early-stage Alzheimer’s Disease.
How To Invest in Psychedelics
As evidence continues to pile up, the market for psychedelics will begin to explode. If you are ready to become an early investor, follow these steps:
- Research the company in which you are investing
- The company will likely have a gameplan for when the market opens
- Invest in diversity
- Use exchange-traded funds
- Make a plan for when you should sell
- Know your limits for loss
- Find a broker that has access to foreign operations
- Canadian exchanges are the most popular during these early stages
- Buy the stock
- Choose between a market order and a limit order
- Sell the stock when you’re ready
- Sell at market price, set a limit, or use a stop-loss order
At MedPlantScience, you can invest directly in this growing market, which will help countless people struggling with various diseases.
Final Thoughts
Psychedelics were hidden away for far too long, but the benefits are becoming increasingly clear. Studies on psychedelics and mental health, Alzheimer’s Disease, and more are demanding the attention they deserve.
The world of psychotherapy is about to change, and patients, providers, and investors will soon be celebrating success.
Written by Med Plant Science