Rise of Psychedelic Therapy

Psychedelic therapy which was once considered to be an outlawed and neglected discipline has been steadily regaining its previously lost popularity. As healthcare professionals pay more attention and early research studies show promising results, substances such as psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD are being considered for the treatment of numerous mental health conditions. In this article, we will focus on the history of psychedelic therapy, present tendencies, methods of using psychedelic therapy in medicine, and the potential of the field.

History Of Psychedelic Therapy

LSD was discovered in 1938 and belongs to the family of psychedelic substances which were in use in some cultures for ritual purposes. Indigenous communities incorporated plants and fungi with psychoactive properties for healing and therapy. The modern study of psychedelics traces its origin to the middle part of the 20th century.

A. The Early Years

In the 1950s and the 1960s when scientific interest cropped up to research the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, LSD and psychedelic drugs, particularly psilocybin in general, were investigated. The study included understanding their effect on various ailments, such as depression, anxiety, and addiction. The initial outcomes also showed much success, since many of the patients reported great enhancements in their condition.

B. The Decline

After the initial enthusiasm and continuous growth over the decades, the increase of the countercultural movement and the backlash on use of the psychedelics resulted in its decline. In 1970, it became possible for many psychedelics to be Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act. As a result, the use and research were limited.

Resurgence of The Psychedelics

After a long pause in the '60s and '70s, the investigation of psychedelic substances is in the process of revival at present.

Positive Research Findings

Scientific research that has been conducted in the recent past has been able to establish that psychedelic drugs are capable of producing deep healing powers. For instance, a research conducted in 2016 indicated that psilocybin had a profound effect on patients’ depression and anxiety levels by reducing them significantly for patients with cancer. This together with another study exhibited the role of using therapy with MDMA in the treatment of PTSD with the patients noting improvement even after six months.

Changes in Perception

Scientists and doctors around the world are steadily beginning to accept psychedelic substances for medically treating distressed individuals opposed to banned vices. Some credit goes to outstanding endorsements from certain prestigious establishments such as the Johns Hopkins University and Imperial College London that have placed much hope and confidence in the research in psychedelic substances.

Regulatory Shifts

Even the regulating agencies are slowly embracing the idea of psychedelic compounds from their previous outright rejection. For example, in 2019, the FDA provided “Breakthrough Therapy” status for psilocybin applied for depression treatment.

Therapeutic Applications of Psychedelics

Psychedelic therapy has been under research for various mental diseases, and each of them seems to have a tentative possibility. Let us take a look at a few of them:

A. Depression and Anxiety

It should be noted that in the case of depression and anxiety, psilocybin and other psychedelics have demonstrated a high degree of efficacy. Interestingly, unlike regular drugs for depression that have to be taken for months or years at a time, psychedelics can work after only a few administrations. Patients reported changes in their mental outlook and nature.

B. PTSD

PTSD was one condition/illness that was greatly alleviated by the use of MDMA-assisted therapy. Due to its action on fear and defensive responses, the drug enables patients to address and think about the issues traumatizing them in therapy. Research has also revealed that this strategy is effective in achieving the goal of treating PTSD long-term.

C. Addiction

Compounds like psilocybin and ibogaine are being considered for use as intended medication for addiction. Some of these substances can cause rather profound, self-reflective states that can serve as catalysts for change in patients’ behaviors. This can bring about lasting behavioral change and the lowest level of substance dependence.

D. End-of-Life Distress

Psychedelics are also being used to help treat patients with terminal illnesses and reduce their existential anxiety. Psychedelics can also be traced on the grounds that through offering deep and frequently spiritual experiences, the substance can assist in fear of death which consequently decreases anxieties and boosts health-related well-being during the last period of life.

The Mechanisms Of Psychedelic Treatment

It is important to know how exactly psychedelics act in the brain to make the most of the healing properties of these substances. So, let us see that now: 

A. Brain Connectivity

One should keep in mind that psychedelics enhance the connections in the brain’s various areas. It is said that this increased connection can interrupt the chain of negative thinking and foster new ways of thinking. For instance, brain imaging literature has demonstrated that psilocybin led to the reduction in the default mode network, DMN- which is a network of the brain that is linked with self-reflective thoughts and worrying.

B. Neuroplasticity

Such agents also enhance neuroplasticity, which is the process of formation of new neural connections in the brains of users. This can help in restructuring the neural circuits for mood and cognition, hence triggering a positive and sustainable change in mental health.

C. Psychological Insights

The feelings that these substances evoke give a deep and powerful psychological understanding. It is common for patients to verbalize a feeling of being connected with others, acceptance from within the self, and even a view of their issues in a different way. 

Conclusion

The return of psychedelic therapy can be viewed as a new methodology for treating mental health disorders. As we expand on the favorable impact of psychedelics and their non-threatening effects, they serve as a ray of hope for people struggling with mental health disorders. From depression to post-traumatic stress disorder, from addiction and anxiety to terminally ill patients, everyone can benefit from the therapy. As research goes on and legal issues are solved, the incorporation of psychedelics as medicine may save lives and dramatically improve the quality of mental health services worldwide.