WORKING WITH PsychedelicS
A note from Dr. Goetzel
By officially introducing Psychedelic Consultations at MyHealth101, I am answering the call of an increasing number of patient, colleagues, & friends who have asked me to share my experience & opinions about Psychedelics and are asking for advice and help with their plans or experiences of using Psychedelics.
Although decriminalized in a few municipalities, Psychedelics are still illegal at this time and there are no FDA approvals for them being a viable treatment for any health condition or indications. Safety and efficacy studies are ongoing. Yet, Psychedelics have been used in healing rituals for millennia and evidence shows that they have helped many. Personally, I have witnessed patients healing, colleagues overcoming feelings of burnout and stress, and seekers of personal growth succeeding in their endeavors.
As a licensed physician I am still not yet allowed to officially recommend the use of Psychedelics (aside from Ketamine) as a viable treatment modality.
That said, the use of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes is a rapidly evolving field, with big opportunity and many risks that need to be taken into consideration. Many psychedelic drugs, such as LSD and psilocybin, can cause powerful psychological experiences, which can be difficult to manage in clinical settings. Practitioners also need special education on how to properly guide and work with clients in Expanded States of Consciousness. Furthermore, there are pharmacological interactions, food interactions, lifestyle recommendations and physiological effects that all must be taken into consideration and that influence safety and efficacy.
The effects of psychedelics can vary significantly from one person to another. This not only provides challenges for the Psychedelic guide and therapist, but highlights the fact that the potential for adverse reactions and long-term effects is still not completely understood. Moreover, psychedelics can induce long-term alterations in perception, behavior and thought processes, making it difficult to assess their safety and efficacy.
Finally, there are legal implications which must be taken into account when recommending psychedelic therapy, as many psychedelic drugs remain classified as Schedule 1 controlled substances in the US.
For all of these reasons, please understand that it is important for me as a medical professional to approach this subject with uttermost caution. After all, despite a substantial body of work from the 1950s and 60s and many the recent studies, physicians are officially not allowed to recommend this treatment modality. I am very hopeful that MDMA and Psilocybin will be approved for medical use in the upcoming years as there are various phase II and phase III trials on the way and preliminary results are quite promising.
Psychedelic Psychotherapy
Psychedelic therapy is a form of psychotherapy that utilizes psychoactive substances such as LSD, psilocybin, and ketamine to promote emotional healing and psychological growth. It combines traditional therapeutic practices with the altered states of consciousness brought on by psychedelic substances in order to help treat psychiatric disorders, emotional difficulties, and other conditions. In recent years, psychedelic therapy has been gaining momentum as an exciting alternative to conventional treatment approaches. Psychedelic therapy has been found to be particularly effective in treating depression and anxiety, PTSD, and addiction. There are also works on OCD, eating disorders and even Autism Spectrum Disorder.
While the long-term effects of psychedelic therapy are still being studied, initial research indicates that it has the potential to be a powerful tool for helping people overcome difficult emotional and mental health issues if used appropriately and in the right setting. This is also the tricky point, as using Psychedelics not recreationally, but for healing, requires a rather sophisticated set of tools and knowledge. In ancient cultures, the expertise for how to do it correctly and provide individualized treatments was part of sacred knowledge passed on through families of medicine men & shamans.
How do Psychedelics Work
Psychedelics can cause dramatic changes in how people perceive the world around them. They can cause sensory distortions like seeing colorful patterns and sounds where there are none, hearing voices, and experiencing extra-sensory perceptions. People may also experience a feeling of being out of body, or having intense spiritual or mystical experiences.
A trip on psychedelics can also create extreme changes in how an individual sees themselves and their place in the world, leading to increased self-awareness, insight into personal problems and a sense of connectedness to the people and things around them. It can also lead to deeper understanding of one’s own emotions, thoughts and behavior.
Psychedelics also affect the brain’s reward system, creating feelings of euphoria, joy, and well-being. They can also cause physical changes like increased heart rate, dilated pupils, and heightened sensitivity to light, sound and touch.
These changes are not without risks, however. Psychedelics can cause serious psychological distress, such as paranoia and confusion, and intense physical discomfort. Poor preparation and irresponsible use can increase the likelihood of negative outcomes. It is therefore important to be aware of the potential risks, to use caution before taking psychedelics and to work with somebody who has experience with their use. If you are suffering from certain types of Psychiatric conditions, you definitely want to stay away from Psychedelics, and these include Bipolar Disorder or any of the Psychotic Disorders.
Working with Psychedelics
Working with Psychedelics belongs to some of the most fascinating and oldest healing techniques. Various indigenous cultures have used these powerful substances in communal settings & with proper guidance for millennia. There is even an evolutionary theory that these substances together with Fish Oils have been the essential key evolutionary trigger leading to the growth of our Neocortex, the part of our brains that holds our understanding and awareness of ourselves. The part that sets us apart from animals and makes us humans.
Over the years, I have seen so many colleagues, friends and patients benefiting from the various ways of using these powerful substances, for personal growth, to address trauma, anxiety, depression and also physical ailments. Through my Chinese Medicine Education, thinking in terms of Qi and energetic is part of my armament as physician and healer.
Psychedelic Integration
Psychedelic integration work is essential for people who have experienced a psychedelic journey or trip. It helps them to understand, process and make sense of their experience, as well as to integrate the knowledge and insights gained from their experience into their life. This integration process helps people to take responsibility for their own healing and growth, allowing them to gain greater insight into themselves and the world, better understanding of their goals and values, and to develop strategies for achieving these goals.
Integration work also enables individuals to understand their experiences in the context of their life and relationships, making it possible for them to build on the insights gained during a psychedelic journey and create lasting positive change in their lives. This spiritual and emotional work allows individuals to move forward with a greater understanding of themselves, their motivations and goals, and their place in the world.
Finally, psychedelic integration work can help individuals become more aware of any potential issues that may arise as a result of their experience, and to be able to take appropriate steps to deal with these issues. This includes being able to maintain healthier relationships, reducing the risk of addiction or relapse, improving self-care, creating better communication and problem-solving skills, and addressing any underlying psychological issues.
Psychedelic Preparation
MISSCONCEPTIONS about PSYCHEDELICS
Help with doing MICRODOSING correctly & efficiently
Micro dosing psychedelics is a movement that has been gaining attention in the medical and health communities. The idea behind micro dosing is to take a sub-perceptual dose of a psychedelic drug, such as LSD or psilocybin (the active ingredient in “magic mushrooms”), on a regular basis, usually once every few days or a few days per week. By taking this small dose, it is believed that people can experience a variety of benefits including improved mood, heightened creativity, better focus, enhanced energy levels and more.
The hope for micro dosing psychedelics is that it can provide a safe and for some effective way to improve mental health and well-being. It may help reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, increase creativity, enhance focus and productivity, and even improve physical health. As more research is conducted, it is hoped that the potential benefits of micro dosing will be revealed and be able to be used safely and effectively in therapeutic and clinical settings. Additionally, it is hoped that the stigma surrounding the use of psychedelic substances will be reduced and individuals will be better able to access the potential mental health benefits through clinically approved, medically supervised micro dosing practices.
PGenerally, it is not advised to take Psychedelics together with Psychiatric medications. If you are considering taking psychedelics while on psychiatric medications, it is important to consult with your doctor first, make a detailed plan and be aware of the potential risks. Psychedelics can interact with certain mental health medications, resulting in dangerous and unpredictable outcomes. Moreover, if you have a pre-existing mental health condition, psychedelics can aggravate it, leading to serious complications.
Therefore, it is essential to speak to a medical professional about your plans before taking any psychedelics at any dose. It is important to learn about interactions you need to be aware of and any potential side effects. Generally I highly recommended that you prepare well, seek professional guidance and help with any sort of psychedelic experience and especially if you have a history or are currently taking psychiatric medications.
Psychedelics & Psychiatric Medications
Therefore, it is essential to speak to a medical professional about your plans before taking any psychedelics at any dose. It is important to learn about interactions you need to be aware of and any potential side effects. Generally I highly recommended that you prepare well, seek professional guidance and help with any sort of psychedelic experience and especially if you have a history or are currently taking psychiatric medications.
