A study published recently in PLOS One suggests that therapy may, in fact, play an important role in psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depressive disorder.
In a study of 24 participants with MDD, those who reported stronger alliance, or “sense of collaboration between patient and client,” with their therapist were more likely to show improvements in their depression scores after two psilocybin dosing sessions.
Stronger ratings of therapeutic alliance during the study’s final preparation session were correlated with improved depression scores for 12 months after the study.
Read moreA good article describing how someone who has never had their own psychedelic trip will not be able to guide someone through a trip as intricately as someone who is more experienced.
Even someone who has had a few of their own experiences is limited in their ability to do this.
As a result, the person undergoing treatment with psychedelics is largely left to navigate the unfamiliar landscape by themselves.
This, however, does have some similarities to the shamanic experience.
What do you think?
Read moreHere’s a good article on the benefits of psychedelics, but set and setting, and therapy are important.
Read moreFrom New Atlas:
“There is plenty of disagreement in the psychedelic community over how to end the drug war and achieve broader legalization.”
“Most psychedelic advocates picture a future where the drug war is over and people are free to responsibly use a number of currently illicit substances for healing, personal growth, or simple recreation. “
“But exactly how we get to that utopian future is the source of great acrimony and division in a once-unified alternative community that is increasingly moving towards the mainstream.”
Read moreIn the lab of Dr. Bryan Roth, experiments are underway to remove the powerful hallucinogenic effects from psychedelic drugs.
“There’s one receptor in the brain that psychedelics bind to,” he said, referring to the serotonin 5-HT-2A receptor. “What we’re trying to find is drugs that bind to that receptor (and) activate it, but don’t cause a psychedelic experience and are anti-depressant.”
Read moreHere’s another article by author Paul Levy, looking at therapist as shaman.
Read moreThis looks interesting, check it out!
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