Benefits of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy

Prominent institutions like NYU Langone Health and Johns Hopkins Medicine are currently investigating the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances such as psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA, yielding promising findings. A 2021 study revealed that 67 percent of participants with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who underwent MDMA-assisted psychotherapy no longer fit the diagnostic criteria for PTSD after two months of treatment, compared to only 32 percent in the placebo group.

A number of study results highlight the significant relief provided by psychedelic compounds. Through the course of treatment with psychedelics, changes in neuron networks have been observed on MRI scans. These include reductions in complex brain connections and alterations in blood flow, which may have lasting effects.

During this period of treatment, new neural synapses can form, potentially facilitating the acquisition of new skills, adoption of fresh perspectives, and changes in habits conducive to a happier and more resilient emotional outlook.

The Mental Health Challenge

Globally, there is increasing burden of mental disorders, along with a lack of new research and development in psychopharmacology since 2010, resulting in a decline in new drug approvals for psychiatric conditions (Schenberg, 2018). According to the CDC, depression is the leading cause of disability in the US among people aged 15-44, and anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the US, affecting 40 million adults.

Problems with psychiatric diagnosis have also emerged, with initiatives like the UK Medical Research Council strategy and the US National Institute for Mental Health's Research Domain Criterion proposing alternative approaches to understanding mental disorders. Despite significant investment in neuroscience, challenges persist in classifying, diagnosing, and understanding mental illness, leading to a debate about whether mental disorders are primarily brain and chemical disorders or if psychiatry risks overlooking psychological and social aspects.

Traditional psychiatric treatments (antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications) have significant negative side effects – including emotional numbness, migraines, loss of sexual appetite, weight gain, drowsiness, alcohol use disorder, insomnia, and suicidal ideation – and lack innovation in recent years. PAP has shown promise in being more effective and faster than current treatments, while also challenging traditional notions of drug efficacy by emphasizing the importance of inducing meaningful experiences rather than solely correcting neurochemical imbalances.

Healing is Far-Reaching

KAP and PAP have been used to treat a number of mental health conditions and chronic pain:

Anxiety
Depression
Suicidal Ideation
End of Life Anxiety
Grief and Loss
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD)

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Chronic pain
Substance use disorders
Eating disorders
Self-image
Hopelessness and lack of motivation
Feeling stuck