While medication and therapy are traditional approaches to combating anxiety, they may not work for everyone due to potential side effects. This has led to a growing interest in alternative treatments such as psychedelic therapy, which employs substances like “magic mushrooms Montreal” among others.
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[toc]Key Takeaways:
- Psychedelic therapy combines the healing effects of psychedelic substances with traditional psychotherapy to boost the healing process.
- Psychedelic therapy can improve emotional well-being and overall quality of life through spiritual journeys.
- The integration process is a key aspect of psychedelic therapy, ensuring the long-term effectiveness of the therapeutic session.
Anxiety Disorder Trends in Canada
The 2022 Mental Health and Access to Care Survey reveals an alarming increase in the prevalence of anxiety disorders in Canada. The proportion of Canadians aged 15 and over diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder in the year prior to the survey rose from 2.6% in 2012 to 5.2% in 2022.
Contrasting Traditional Therapy and Psychedelic Therapy
Standard treatments for anxiety disorders typically entail a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is a collaborative process between the therapist and patient aimed at mitigating anxiety symptoms.
On the other hand, anxiety medications relieve symptoms by tailoring treatment to the specific type of anxiety disorder and considering any concurrent mental or physical health conditions. Though the treatment plan can vary based on individual needs, psychotherapy and medication remain the primary strategies.
In psychedelic therapy, sessions are unique as they include one or two doses of a psychedelic substance, together with other therapeutic
Methods:
The Role of Psychedelics in Therapy
Psychedelic therapy is a type of therapeutic treatment that employs the use of psychedelic substances to enhance the healing process. These substances, known for their hallucinogenic properties, have been used in integrative medicine and spiritual rituals across diverse cultures for millennia.
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin are the most frequently used substances in this type of therapy. LSD induces alterations in mood, perception, and consciousness. According to the Health Canada website, psilocybin is the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, and consuming these mushrooms can provoke sensory experiences such as visual, auditory, or tactile hallucinations.
Determining Dosage for Therapy Sessions
In psychedelic therapy, specialists assess patients to determine the appropriate dosage of psilocybin for their sessions. Dosages differ among patients; some start with moderate doses, while others can handle larger amounts of the substance. The treatment plan usually involves one to three medication sessions, each lasting six to eight hours and spaced several weeks apart. This is in contrast to traditional medications that require daily intake until further instructions from a healthcare provider.
The Journey Towards Spiritual and Personal Transformation
Unlike standard anxiety medications, which aim to control symptoms, therapy strives to address the root causes of the condition. Psychedelic therapy can significantly impact emotional health and quality of life, as it doesn’t just manage symptoms, but also offers transformative experiences.
The immersive experiences can result in deep insights, increased self-awareness, and enhanced emotional processing. These effects can facilitate personal development, inspire positive behavioural changes, and improve overall mental health.
Outcomes
| Expanded Consciousness | Altered consciousness states provide a new outlook on the world. | This heightened awareness often leads to the following: Deep insightsEpiphaniesIncreased comprehension of oneself and surroundings |
| Emotional Healing | Aids emotional healing by offering an opportunity to confront and process unresolved trauma, grief, or emotional distress. | This process helps in:Accessing deeply hidden emotionsReleasing emotional blockagesPromoting emotional well-being |
| Enhanced Self-Awareness | Increases connectivity among sensory brain regions while decreasing connectivity within the default mode network. This network integrates brain regions that are interconnected and are involved in self-focused thought processes and subjective self-perception.” | These regions function to: Transform negative thinking patterns, beliefs, and recurring behaviours. Enable users to gain profound insights into their authentic selves, motivations, and interpersonal dynamics. |
Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy is increasingly being recognized for its potential benefits, although it’s not typically linked with psychedelic therapy. This body-oriented technique explores the relationship between the mind and body, based on the idea that past traumas can cause sensations to become trapped within the body. Somatic therapists help individuals identify these bodily sensations and use therapeutic methods to alleviate this tension.
Integration
This offers a framework for clients to attain clarity, acquire perspective, and gain wisdom from their psychedelic experiences. The transformative process occurs during integration sessions with the therapist and through the client’s proactive steps outside of psychedelic explorations. Integration enhances the transformative effects of psychedelics by actively engaging with surfaced insights and emotional revelations.
Types of Integration
- Journaling. Documenting experiences allows individuals to solidify memories for easier recall later. It also enables clients to examine their experiences from varied perspectives to reveal different interpretations, meanings, and connections.
- Art. This provides an efficient way to capture the complex emotions and feelings of a psychedelic journey in a creative and visually expressive manner.
- Practicing Nature-based Approaches. These can be as simple as mindful forest walks or seeking peace near a calm body of water. Therapists can help clients discover intricate patterns in nature or suggest using natural elements like plants, rocks, water, and candles as grounding tools.
- Engaging in Integration Groups. Group sessions with individuals who have had similar experiences offer a significant opportunity for reflection, support, and bonding. The power of psychedelic therapy to spark a sense of interdependence and mutual understanding that transcends individual boundaries is a fundamental aspect.
The Role of These Techniques in Anxiety Treatment
The essential pharmacological theory behind all psychedelics is their ability to act as agonists, or activators, of serotonin (5-HT) 2A
Psychedelic therapy capitalizes on the interaction between the psychoactive compounds in psychedelic substances and the brain’s serotonin receptors. The primary research focus within this field is on the impact of these substances on the brain’s default mode network (DMN). The DMN is significantly involved in repetitive thought patterns and has been connected to mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders. With psychedelic therapy, it’s possible to bring about a significant reduction in anxiety levels, with the effects lasting up to a year post-treatment.
After a psilocybin session, which usually includes profound spiritual experiences, the patient partakes in a dialogue with their therapist. During these therapeutic conversations, experienced healthcare providers strive to earnestly listen to the patient. They also employ specific strategies and methods to maximize the positive outcomes of the therapy.
These strategies collectively work towards helping individuals with anxiety achieve long-lasting relief in fewer sessions compared to traditional treatments.
Change Your Life, One Session at a Time
Many people rely on traditional anxiety treatments, but not all find them effective or satisfactory. Psychedelic therapy provides a different approach, employing distinctive methods that can spark life-changing experiences. These methods work together to yield deep, long-lasting results—sometimes up to a year after just one to three sessions.
Besides improving mental health, this type of therapy could also result in substantial cost savings for patients. Ready to discover a new path to wellness? Explore the potential of psychedelic therapy with Magic Mush Canada.
Commonly Asked Questions
Is there a specific type of magic mushroom used for psychedelic therapy?
In studies related to psychedelic-assisted therapy, there’s often a lack of clarity about the type of mushroom used. Typically, Psilocybe cubensis is the preferred option.
Online magic mushroom dispensaries offer a variety of strains to suit different needs. You have the freedom to choose any strain to experience the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics. Nevertheless, be prudent and choose a reliable vendor to avoid purchasing unsafe magic mushrooms from dishonest sources.
What is the duration of psychedelic therapy?
The length of psychedelic therapy can differ as it includes several stages. A single session, where the psychedelic is ingested, lasts between 4 to 8 hours. The entire therapy process, which includes preparation, the session itself, and subsequent discussions, can span a few weeks to several months.
As for long-term effects, individuals often report improvements in their mental health lasting several months or even up to a year after treatment.
Several sessions are encompassed within a year.
Does the therapist guide the patient on their spiritual journey?
In this stage, professionals like therapists or other staff might guide the patient. Studies suggest that Spiritual Health Practitioners (SHPs) offer distinctive and valuable insights to boost the wellness of participants and support their progression during a spiritual journey. Some people benefit from the assistance of an SHP, while others rely on the available therapist or specialist.
Does the concept of “set and setting” play a role in psychedelic therapy?
Indeed, both the mindset (set) of the individual and the environmental conditions (setting) are key to safely guiding spiritual experiences during a psychedelic therapy session. The individual’s mental condition influences their spiritual journey, shaping the experience both before and during the psychedelic session. The path and intensity of the experience are influenced by factors such as beliefs, expectations, emotional states, and intentions.
Primary Source: Psychedelics as Emerging Treatments for Anxiety Disorders: Opportunities and Challenges in a Budding Field – PMC (nih.gov)
About the Authors:
Franklin King, IV, MD. and Rebecca Hammond, M.D.
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