The rise of psychedelics for mental health
You may have read about the wonders of psilocybin in How To Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan or watched the magical kingdom of mycelium unfold on Fantastic Fungi. Psychedelic drugs that have long been considered recreational are now being tested and administered by trained professionals to treat depression, anxiety and addiction. As part of this paradigm shift, they are being used in many different ways, from MDMA-assisted psychotherapy to psilocybin retreats and casual microdosing.
Psychedelic experiences have great potential for healing. Despite their recent rise to the surface, these are no cultural trends - magic mushrooms can be traced back millions of years. They are most strongly associated with the hippie culture of the 60s though. It was during this time that hallucinogenic drugs were hailed as a potential psychiatric breakthrough; however with their rise in popularity, came their demise as psychedelic drugs fell victim to the Nixon administration’s War on Drugs. But now we are seeing a variety of alternative mental health treatments being put forward due to advances in recent years, in what has since been coined the ‘psychedelic renaissance’.
Functional psychedelics
Functional psychedelics are being used to explore how the mind works, why the brain can change and to transform the way we see the world. Their use in therapeutic settings is now being investigated in clinical trials. The therapeutic application of MDMA is being explored to treat PTSD and anxiety. Similar trials using LSD-assisted psychotherapy have found beneficial effects and psilocybin in conjunction with therapy is being tested to treat anxiety and depression. Many participants have declared the latter as a personally meaningful and spiritually significant experience. Of all the psychedelic experiences available, ayahuasca ceremonies are inextricably linked with spirituality and the mystical. Microdosing is a practice of using a very minuscule dose of a psychedelic substance to enhance wellbeing in some way: to focus, connect with others, tap into creativity or balance mood. Each is a different kind of experience.
Set and setting
While a psychedelic retreat can be a healing trip, one cannot underestimate the “set and setting”. This refers to one’s mindset and the physical and social environment around them during the ingestion of psychedelics. It’s known that the “set and setting” is hugely influential on the psychedelic experience, which is why you should only practice psychedelics in a safe and legal way that’s guided by a clinician (and always consult with your physician beforehand). Psychedelics are illegal in many countries, but we are seeing increased legalisation and decriminalisation globally as treatment usages expand. While they are actively being studied for their potential therapeutic benefits, especially in hard-to-treat disorders and illnesses, psychedelics can also pose significant risks. As with any alternative healing practice, it’s best to understand the risks.