Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is a therapeutic practice with psychedelic substances. A single high-dose session, which is 20-30 mg/154.324 lbs. body weight, is common. But some trials are with a micro-dosage or a placebo-controlled method with noticeable somatic results. It is conducted by a highly trained and licensed therapist and typically involves ‘talk therapy’. This is being practiced in the West since the 1950s and is legal and quite medically safe.
About 75% of people who enter any form of psychotherapy show benefits and are better off than 80% of those who do not receive the treatment. Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy also induces positive behavioral and psychological changes. It is helpful for conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD and addictions. No wonder the therapy research got its first US government funding from NIH of $4 million in 50 years in 2021. Read on.
Psychedelics and EMDR
EMDR may be used to support psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Studies found that 84% to 90% of single-trauma victims show no post-traumatic stress symptoms after just 90 minutes of sessions for 3 times. EMDR is the treatment of choice in a few cases when it comes to understanding the source of anxiety and ensuring relapse prevention.
Using psychedelic assisted psychotherapy along with EMDR can help the subject experience ‘distressing content’ with low levels of fear, tension and sadness. They are able to process emotions better which leaves them feeling:
- grounded and realistic
- >cool, calm and relaxed
- at ease with themselves.
Remember that every single drug session is accompanied by drug-free sessions before and after which are called preparatory and integrative psychotherapy, respectively.
How Does Ketamine Psychedelic Therapy Work?
Ketamine assisted psychotherapy is a relatively new and innovative approach to treating mental health disorders. It involves the use of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, as a tool to facilitate psychotherapy sessions. Ketamine has been shown to have rapid antidepressant effects and can also help alleviate symptoms of anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health conditions. During a ketamine assisted psychotherapy session, a trained therapist guides the patient through a journey of self-exploration and healing while under the influence of the drug. The use of ketamine in psychotherapy is still an area of ongoing research, but early studies have shown promising results and suggest that it could be a valuable tool for improving mental health outcomes.
It originated as a dissociative anesthetic but has become the primary element of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. You might find yourself under effects like hallucinations, shift in sense and awareness of self, time and shape dilation and a little bit of unreality. In lower doses of ketamine, consciousness is temporarily modified which means changes in mood and cognition. Patients are continuously monitored by highly specialized mental health experts. They are allowed to talk and express their psychedelic after-effects immediately after ingestion. This is when several changes like mind-wandering and self-reflection can occur. Two factors are critical in this:
- Set: Mind-set, mood, past events and personality
- Setting: Environment and context
MDMA, Psilocybin, LSD and Ibogaine are a few other potent psychedelics that were under clinical trials as of 2018. Now, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is heading towards approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for PTSD treatment in 2024. But know that these are not meant to fully ‘correct’ functional imbalances but to ‘modify’ brain functioning to switch them away from existing beliefs towards more logical information. This is helpful for anyone who is trapped in a repetitive thought process or patterns while restoring the critical learning period that generally stops after hitting adolescence.
Whether it is EMDR, psychedelic therapy, Ketamine assisted psychotherapy. or simple counseling, let only compassionate and highly skilled professionals help you out. This can ensure rapid and effective results. Here at IPG we have doctors for all counseling services from Ketamine therapy to EDMR, Contact us today!