Psychedelic Assisted Therapy is a type of therapy that includes the use of psychedelic substances and what is called Integration work after the effects of the psychedelic journey. The Psychotherapy is not actually conducted during the journey, or what some still call “trip.” Rather, the psychedelic substances are used as an aid in the therapeutic practice.
The use of hallucinogenic substances, also known as entheogens and or plant medicines have been used for centuries. Some say as old as man kind. They were used as sacraments for spiritual practices.
Today many of these psychedelic substances such as LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA and others are making their way through clinical studies for the treatment of anxiety, addiction, and depression. Many of these studies are showing that not only are these substances safer than we thought when they were put into their schedule one category that made them illegal for personal use, clinical, use and scientific study… we are also finding that they are actually showing to have positive affects on untreated disorders as well as personal well being.
NMPSS as well as many other organizations such as CIIS, MAPS and others that are assisting in getting law makers and clinical professionals to draw out a framework for this modality and how it will look if legalized. But currently there is no standard administration and practice that is legally implemented other than with the use of ketamine which looks a little different. Oregon is about release their therapeutic training program and centers. What we do know now is that there is an administration of a low to moderate does of the the psychedelic drug, supervision from a trained guide or sitter for the duration of the journey, and an integrated therapeutic session after the journey (up to a few days after) with a trained psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or psychiatric nurse practitioner.
During the actual journey the effect of ones surroundings including the guides (Set and Setting) are imperative for the safety as well as efficacy of this form of treatment or expansion. (This will be outlined in another blog post coming soon.)
Questions to ask oneself when thinking about embarking on a journey using this modality.
- Where am I currently seeking healing or growth?
- What is the main reason bringing me to the medicine at this time?
- What am I hoping to receive from this experience.
If decided on, using these questions to form a grounded form of intention is very important for anchoring. (Again Will touch on in future writing)
A Desert Psychonaut 