'Hallucinogenic magic': how a combination of psychedelic drugs and therapy can help treat chronic mental illness

Hallucinogens and psychedelics are stigmatized and illegal in EU member states due to concerns about their potential harmful effects.

However, in other parts of the world, some of these drugs are praised for their healing properties and have been used in cultural and spiritual ceremonies for thousands of years.

Currently, the scientific community in Europe and the United States is beginning to open up to what shamans have been saying for years.

A growing body of evidence suggests that psychoactive substances have immense therapeutic potential, especially in addressing serious and difficult-to-treat mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, alcoholism and eating disorders. .

Mental health disorders constitute a large part of global morbidity and entail enormous costs, both for society and the economy.

Psychedelics - which are generally considered non-addictive - could be a promising form of therapy for difficult-to-treat disorders.

In response to growing interest from the scientific community, dozens of privately funded studies are underway in the United States, as well as a few in Europe, trying to unravel the neuroscience behind these psychedelic effects. .

The objective of many scientific institutions specialized in this area is to decriminalize psychedelics —both synthetic and natural— and establish safe protocols that allow doctors and psychotherapists to harness the

of these compounds for medical purposes.

The goal is to achieve lasting recovery of patients.

“The research teams involved in this field envision a world where psychedelics can be used safely, legally, and beneficially in therapies, and where research has the opportunity to thoroughly assess both their risks and their benefits,” says researcher Claudia Schwarz-Plaschg, who recently completed the three-year Horizon-funded ReMedPsy project, in which he examined, among other things, the evolution of societal opinion on psychedelics.

widespread acceptance

“Before we can make real progress in the medical use of psychedelics, we need to promote widespread acceptance of these substances,” explains the researcher, adding that the United States is far ahead of Europe in that regard.

Although psychedelics have begun to be viewed favorably in the scientific community, this is not the first time that research institutions have taken an interest in these substances.

The 1950s and 1960s were also a time of scientific and cultural exploration of these substances.

However, when political will conflicted with all categories of 'recreational' drugs, the investigation was terminated.

In the current renaissance of interest in psychedelics, the aim is to deepen the understanding of the biological mechanisms that give rise to the effects with which these substances can alter the psychic state, so that they can be safely integrated into society.

“These substances must be used with great care and respect”, the doctor qualifies.

"They can be abused and used to control people, so it's extremely important to set both the stage and the right environment before consuming them."

With “ambience” he refers to the state of mind with which the person arrives at the experience.

You need to be relaxed and fearless, as these two factors will have a lot of influence on the effects you may feel.

With “setting” it refers to the physical place in which the substance is consumed.

altered states

What is it that makes these substances so attractive both in nightlife and in a therapeutic setting?

Psychedelics produce altered states of consciousness.

These states affect all the senses and modify the cognitive processes, the sense of time and the emotions of people.

Schwarz-Plaschg affirms that the sensation they provoke is that of "opening up".

In his own words: “For example, a substance like MDMA [the active ingredient in ecstasy, the most typical drug at electronic music parties] produces a lot of empathy and a very strong desire to unite with others.

Consumed in a correct environment, the person also connects with the interior of her and feels a lot of love and empathy for herself;

And if that person has been the victim of a traumatic crime, he may even feel the same way about the person responsible for such acts."

In such a state of emotional expansion, patients can relive traumatic experiences and cope with distressing memories in ways that would be impossible under normal circumstances.

“They can feel the same strong feelings they experienced at the time of the trauma again, but this time with less fear, and thanks to the psychedelics and the therapist, they can see the traumatic memory in a new light,” says the expert.

More information

Psychedelic therapy: hallucinogenic mushrooms against depression

positive outlook

Schwarz-Plaschg explains that this process can help people "release feelings stored in their bodies and look at a traumatic experience from a more positive position."

According to the doctor, this new perspective can remain in the patient after the effects of the substance wear off.

The researcher does not lack time to affirm that the effects of psychedelics can be explained with science, not with magic.

Its active molecules bind with our body's serotonin receptors —the

-being neurotransmitter.

Classic antidepressants work in a similar way.

However, it appears that when psychedelics are combined with therapy, mental disorders are alleviated for longer and, in some cases, may be resolved forever.

The radical approach proposed by specialized scientific institutions in this field is called Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP).

It is the use of psychedelic substances under professional supervision, as part of a thorough psychotherapeutic program.

psychedelic therapy

“We envision a world in which psychotherapists are trained in the use of psychedelics so that they can be included as part of a therapy package,” says Schwarz-Plaschg.

The program combines a specific substance with a specific type of therapy.

For example, a patient might have two sessions in which the therapist gives them psilocybin—the psychoactive ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms—followed by two more sessions of pure psychological therapy.

In a 2021 clinical trial conducted by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)—an American non-governmental organization dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of psychedelics—MDMA-assisted therapy was applied to people with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

This condition is extremely complicated to treat.

After three sessions, 67% of the patients no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, while 88% experienced an improvement in symptoms.

"Once we have more data on which is the best treatment to give the best results, we hope that the European Medicines Agency will give its approval" adds the doctor.

The three substances that current research is working with are MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine—used as a sedative in higher doses and also known for its hallucinogenic effects.

Since 2019, the use of esketamine (a ketamine-based nasal spray) has been allowed in the United States and the European Union to treat major depressive disorders, but only when antidepressants have not worked and if it is administered from a certified clinic.

For many people who suffer from depression, but not all, esketamine is an efficient breakthrough therapy.

It works fast and appears to significantly lower the chance of recurrence of major depression compared to oral antidepressants combined with a placebo nasal spray.

optimal dose

However, as with other psychedelics, more data is needed on the mechanism that produces the altered mental states.

Much remains to be done as well to establish the number of doses and concentrations that patients need for the treatment to give the desired results.

The use of MDMA and psilocybin is prohibited in most of Europe (with the exception of the Netherlands and Austria, where their use is restricted).

However, advocates of psychedelics are making great strides in the United States.

As of 2021, hallucinogenic mushrooms have been legal for use in mental health treatment in supervised settings in some parts of the United States.

In addition, there is a law—pending approval in California—that would help legalize the use of a number of psychedelics, including hallucinogenic mushrooms, MDMA, and LSD.

Schwarz-Plaschg is hopeful that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy will be available in Europe within two to three years.

The research referred to in this article has been funded through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).

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