The Emerging World of Psychedelic Therapies

Psychedelic Therapy has received unprecedented attention in the past few years. This Google Trends search shows us how frequently the keywords “Psychedelic Therapy” have been used from 2004 until now:

To the untrained reader, this may drum up visions of psychedelic hippies, CIA agents jumping out of windows, or raves. Psychedelic Therapy actually looks quite different than this, though!

Instead of looking like this:

It looks kind of more like this:

What Exactly is ‘Psychedelic Therapy’?

Well, according to Wikipedia:?

Psychedelic therapy (or psychedelic-assisted therapy) refers to the proposed use of psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin, MDMA,[note 1] LSD, and ayahuasca, to treat mental disorders.[2][3]?

I myself have worked in the field of psychedelic therapies for several years. In fact, those two kindly-looking therapists in the image above were my bosses briefly.

Essentially, psychedelics are a class of mind-altering substances. So-called ‘classic’ psychedelics are thought to work on the serotonin system primarily. These commonly include psilocybin mushrooms (‘magic mushrooms’), Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD or ‘Acid’), and Dimethytryptamine (DMT, the psychoactive ingredient of Ayahuasca).

These substances are distinct from other classes of substances, such as stimulants (cocaine, methamphetamine, etc.). They are not commonly thought to be addictive - actually, they can help treat addiction if used correctly. I wrote an article once about how they can be used addictively, so it’s important to exercise caution.

So, that’s a very brief introduction to what psychedelics are, but what does it mean to add ‘therapy’ to that?

As the name implies, psychedelic therapy refers to the therapeutic usage of psychedelics. Specifically, psychedelics are used as therapeutic aids to improve mental health dysfunction.?

How Does Psychedelic Therapy Work?

Psychedelic Therapy involves several elements. Different teams employ different models, as there is no major consensus on the optimal way to deliver this treatment. However, we do observe some consistent trends.

Oftentimes, you will see people using eye shades and headphones. The purpose of this is to encourage people to turn their attention inward. Music is carefully selected for the journey to guide the client through their journey.?

Additionally, there is usually a comfortable environment created for the client. You may see crystals, plants, tapestries, and more in the therapy room. Usually, clients lay down on a mat, bed, or coach with some sheets, blankets, and pillows.

This image represents a typical therapy room and client experience during the session.?

The Journey

So, those are some of the basic logistics, but what is actually like to go through a session of psychedelic therapy? Typically, a psychedelic therapist will prepare the client for their session ahead of time. This varies, but it’s considered best practice to get to know the client (building rapport) before going into a psychedelic journey. This is because the psychedelic experience can be a vulnerable space, and the client needs to feel like they can properly trust their therapist to take care of them in that state.

A common practice is for the therapist to discuss an ‘intention’ with the client. This can vary, but often you may see intentions like:

• I want to stop smoking cigarettes
• I want to get in touch with my inner child
• I want to have a better relationship with my inner critic

Sometimes people may have an intention to explore their mind, too, but you wouldn’t see this as much in the ‘therapy’ environment.

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