Hallucinogenic substances have been used in holistic medicine and for spiritual practices by various cultures for thousands of years.
“Set” refers to things such as the client’s mood and their expectations.
The goal is to be comfortable with the therapist and the room where the session will take place.
It is also important for patients to go into the experience feeling calm and attentive.
After the psychedelic experience, the focus at the next step is a process known as “integration.”
While there is some evidence that microdosing may have some beneficial effects, more research is needed.
What Psychedelic Therapy Can Help With
Researchers have uncovered a number of potential applications for psychedelic therapy.
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Benefits of Psychedelic Therapy
Psychedelics are powerful substances that can produce profound mind-altering effects.
These drugs are believed to work by affecting the neural circuits that use the neurotransmitterserotonin.
After taking psychedelic substances, some people report having mystical or spiritual experiences.
They may describe having feelings of peace, joy, unity, andempathy.
About 80% of participants continued to show improvements six months later.
Another study from 2020 looked at the effects of real-world psychedelic use by surveying music festival attendees.
The participants reported that taking LSD and psilocybin helped improve mood and feel more socially connected.
They also reported that these effects continued even after the drugs had worn off.
One 2019 study involved surveying people who had already quit using alcohol with the use of psychedelics.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Clinical trials have demonstrated the treatments long-term efficacy in the treatment of PTSD.
But there are other risks to taking psychedelics, such as the following.
The use of psychedelics can also result in what is known as a “bad trip.”
These experiences are marked by intense and terrifying feelings of anxiety and the fear of losing control.
Dangers of Self-Treatment
Another potential concern is the possibility of people using psychedelic substances to self-treat.
If you are interested in trying psychedelic therapy, signing up for a research trial is an option.
Never make a run at self-treat with psychedelics.
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