Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies: An Option to Consider
Psychedelic-assisted therapies are gaining more attention as people explore new ways to address mental health challenges. These therapies use substances like Ketamine, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca to help people with conditions such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety. At Mindful Living Group (MLG), we consider some of these innovative treatments through dialogue and learning collaborations to help our clients understand how to make safe decisions in their care and find relief and healing.
Here, we break down the two main types of psychedelic-assisted therapies: pharmaceutical treatments and plant medicines. You’ll learn how each therapy works, what you can expect during treatment, and the important role of integration—helping you make sense of and apply the insights gained from these experiences. Whether you’re curious about Ketamine, MDMA, Psilocybin, or Ayahuasca, this blog will provide you with a little more understanding of these therapies and how they can support your mental health journey.
Pharmaceutical Treatment & Integration
Ketamine Therapy
Ketamine therapy is a relatively new treatment option that has been making waves in the mental health field recently. Originally developed as an anesthetic, Ketamine is now used to help people with severe depression, anxiety, and PTSD when other treatments haven’t worked.
How It Works: Ketamine affects the brain differently from traditional antidepressants. It helps reset the brain’s communication system by boosting certain chemicals called neurotransmitters. This can lead to quick improvements in mood and a reduction in symptoms.
What to Expect: During a Ketamine session, you will typically receive the drug orally or through an IV or nasal spray. The session usually lasts about 40 to 90 minutes. You may feel detached from reality or have vivid dreams during the session, but these effects are temporary. Afterward, you will spend time in a quiet space to relax and process your experience.
Integration: After your Ketamine dose, the client is usually invited to process with a therapist to understand and integrate the insights you gained. This means talking through what was experienced and how it can help you move forward in your life. Integration helps you understand the changes and apply them to your daily routine. Integration is not just 1 session. It begins with preparation and continues immediately and weeks or months after taking the medicine.
Benefits and Risks: Many people find that Ketamine provides rapid relief from depression and anxiety symptoms, which can be especially valuable in urgent situations. However, there are some risks, including potential side effects like dizziness or nausea. It’s important to discuss these with your healthcare provider to ensure that Ketamine is a safe option for you.
MDMA Therapy
MDMA, often known as Ecstasy, is another exciting treatment that is used to help people, especially those dealing with PTSD. Unlike Ketamine, MDMA is not used regularly but rather in specific therapy sessions where it can help patients confront and process difficult memories.
How It Works: MDMA increases the release of serotonin, a chemical in the brain that helps regulate mood. This boost can make people feel more open and connected, which is helpful during therapy sessions. This medicine is described as an empathogen that often is experienced as supportive to tolerating the processing of difficult symptoms.
What to Expect: During an MDMA therapy session, you’ll take the drug in a controlled setting, usually combined with talk therapy. The session can last several hours, and you might experience heightened emotions and a sense of empathy. This can make it easier to explore challenging topics and memories with your therapist.
Integration: After the session, you will discuss your experiences with your therapist to help you understand the insights you gained and how they can affect your healing journey. This can also include reflecting on your experience and setting goals for applying what you’ve learned in your everyday life.
Benefits and Risks: MDMA therapy can help people process trauma and improve their emotional well-being. However, MDMA can have side effects, such as increased heart rate or dehydration. It’s important to have these sessions under the guidance of a trained professional to manage any risks and ensure a safe experience.
Plant Medicines Treatment & Integration
Psilocybin Therapy
Psilocybin therapy uses “magic mushrooms” to help people with mental health issues. Psilocybin is the active ingredient in these mushrooms, and it can lead to deep, meaningful experiences that help with problems like depression and anxiety.
How It Works: Psilocybin affects the brain by changing how we perceive and think about things. It can help people see their thoughts and emotions from a new perspective. This shift can lead to new insights and a better understanding of themselves that resolve some of the problematic symptoms impacting people’s lives.
What to Expect: In a Psilocybin therapy session, you’ll take the mushrooms in a controlled environment, often with a trained therapist present. The experience usually lasts about 4 to 6 hours. During this time, you might have vivid visions or strong emotions. You should be in a safe and comfortable space where you can focus on your experience. Preparation with a trained professional is critical to ensure safety and readiness.
Integration: After the session, integrating the experience is crucial. This means talking with your therapist about what you felt and learned. Integration helps you make sense of the experience and apply any insights to your everyday life. This process helps ensure that the benefits of the therapy continue long after the session ends.
Benefits and Risks: Many people find that Psilocybin helps them gain a new perspective on their problems and can lead to lasting positive changes. However, Psilocybin can also cause intense emotions and hallucinations, which might be overwhelming for some people. Having a professional guide you through the experience to manage these effects safely is vital.
Ayahuasca Therapy
Ayahuasca is a powerful plant medicine used in traditional ceremonies, especially in South America. It is made from a blend of plants that, when combined, create an intense experience that can help with deep personal issues and spiritual growth.
How It Works: The main ingredients in Ayahuasca work together to affect the brain and body. The experience often leads to vivid visions and deep emotional release, which can help people confront and heal from past traumas or emotional blocks.
What to Expect: An Ayahuasca ceremony usually takes place in a group setting with a shaman guide leading the process. Traditions of this medicine have been carried for thousands of years and working with a Shaman who has this valuable history or lineage may be an important consideration. The ceremony can last several hours, during which participants drink the Ayahuasca brew. The experience is often intense and can include strong emotions, purging, and visions. After the ceremony, there is a period of reflection and discussion.
Integration: Integration after an Ayahuasca ceremony is crucial to understanding and applying what you experienced. This involves reflecting on the visions and feelings you had during the ceremony and working with your guide or therapist to make sense of them. This helps you use the insights gained to make positive changes in your life.
Benefits and Risks: Ayahuasca can lead to profound personal insights and emotional healing. However, the experience can be intense and not suitable for everyone. Participating in a ceremony with a qualified and experienced guide is key to ensure safety and support throughout the process.
Safety and Legality: Currently Psilocybin and Ayahuasca treatments are not legal in many places so it is important that people exploring this option find safe options with the support of medical/mental health trained professionals. Some medications have dangerous interactions so when one chooses to work with a Shaman only they should also consult a knowledgeable professional of these plant medicines. Some clients are finding opportunities to participate in clinical trials or traveling to places where this treatment option exists. Mindful Living Group does not offer recommendations about these medicines but works with collective impact groups on how to navigate the benefits and risks of these options for mental health. Some of Mindful Living Group’s providers are however able to help clients process their experiences with these medicines, gain valuable insights to sustain resolutions, and navigate meaning for the experiences obtained from these medicines accessed in alternative settings outside MLG.
Comparative Analysis
When choosing between pharmaceutical treatments and plant medicines, it’s important to understand their differences and how each can fit into your healing journey.
Differences Between Pharmaceutical and Plant Medicines
Pharmaceutical treatments like Ketamine and MDMA are generally used in a clinical setting with medical oversight. They work by altering brain chemistry to provide quick relief from symptoms. For example, Ketamine helps reset brain signals, while MDMA enhances emotional openness during therapy. These treatments are usually short-term and involve regular sessions with a therapist to help integrate the experience.
In contrast, plant medicines such as Psilocybin and Ayahuasca are often used in more traditional settings. Psilocybin comes from mushrooms and is known for its ability to shift perspectives, while Ayahuasca is a brew made from plants and is used in ceremonial settings. Both of these plant origins are considered highly sacred and follow protocols and traditions to enhance safety. These therapies can lead to profound personal insights and emotional releases. They typically involve longer experiences and may include group ceremonies guided by a shaman and/or psychedelic assisted therapist. Preparation is critical and iIntegration after these experiences are pivotal to helping one understand and apply the insights gained.
Cultural Considerations
It’s important to be mindful of cultural contexts. Plant medicines often have deep roots in Indigenous traditions, and it’s crucial to approach them respectfully. This means engaging with these medicines and their traditional practices in a way that honors their origins and involves informed, respectful practices.
Choosing the Right Therapy
The right choice depends on your personal needs and preferences. Pharmaceutical treatments might be a better fit if you prefer a more clinical approach with controlled settings. Plant medicines could be more suitable if you’re interested in a deeper, more spiritual experience. Discussing your options with a qualified and trained therapist can help you make the best choice for your healing journey.
Treatments with MLG
If you’re interested in exploring psychedelic-assisted therapies, Mindful Living Group (MLG) is here to help. We will soon be offering Ketamine treatments through our provider’s training and mentorship from Harvard trained Psychiatrist who has been experiencing profound outcomes in her seasoned Ketamine Clinic. MLG continues to collaborate with Maui Breakthrough Treatments Coalition made of knowledgeable leaders around this topic to safely and effectively navigate the future of healthcare as it looks to MDMA and plant medicines to support mental health treatment and well-being outcomes.
At our offices in Maui and Oahu, our trained professionals are here to listen as the community and our clients engage in these important discussions. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you navigate your healing and growing journey.