Treatment for depression is an increasingly pressing need. Despite its invisibility, it steals every aspect of one’s quality of life. It can make even the most basic tasks feel like too much. A once-pristine house can become cluttered so that the thought of company causes dread instead of excitement, and that’s where the social isolation begins. Their performance in work or school could suffer, limiting their upward mobility even if they have high levels of creativity and intellect. As if all of that isn’t enough, depression can contribute to the onset and progression of life-changing physical conditions.
Over the past several decades, the incorporation of psychedelics in mental health care has been steadily gaining momentum. In fact, there are those who argue that they could realistically replace other modern treatments such as antidepressants.
The case for this lies in the permanency of the results for a large number of patients, as shown in both statistical evidence and a piling number of patient testimonies claiming these treatments helped them fully recover from a lifetime of struggling with depression.
This can be explained by a concept called neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to form connections. Neurons operate like a muscle. If they are used, they will become stronger. If they are not, they will weaken and eventually atrophy. The strengthening of these connections is through repetition. However, unfortunately that can work against us sometimes. When unwanted thoughts, negative self-talk, and unpleasant emotions are repeated enough, it can become stuck on a loop.
Therein lies the problem with emotional disorders. Once they have been formed, they change the inner workings of the brain. Intellectually, the person might see a way to feel better, but there is a blockage. That is because of plasticity, which pulls them back into this pattern involuntarily.
However, if these patterns were reversed, new connections could be formed, thus cancelling out that natural pull to the course of depression.
In addition, this type of therapy has yielded results with anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and other similar conditions. It is argued that the solutions are quicker and longer lasting. The fundamental change in plasticity creates an environment to a shift in perspective, and the person can delve into the contributing factors for their case of depression with greater depth and clarity.
These treatments have also been introduced to end-of-life palliative care. Approaching the end of life can cause great existential dread. Advocates claim psychedelics can help a person come to a deeper spiritual understanding of their life, allowing them to find comfort in the transition between life and death.
However, psychedelics cannot be a stand-alone treatment for emotional disorders. They must be coupled with other forms of therapy to get the best results. Typically, the patient will be given a prescribed dosage and monitored by a psychiatrist as they explore the thoughts and feelings they encounter. Then, there is a follow-up session shortly after, where the patient discusses these experiences with their therapist.
Proponents say these treatments are better if they are legalized because then the patient will be in a controlled environment and only taking a dosage approved by a doctor. They also claim that treatments take effect much more quickly than antidepressants and mood stabilizers, and the fact that there have been complaints about these medications correlating with a feeling of numbness and an inability to find joy in their lives. their personality and enjoyment of life.
While in many parts of the nation it is still up for debate, these treatments have been officially legalized in Oregon, New Mexico, and Colorado. For Colorado, the practice still has yet to be introduced, but it is expected to happen this year.
While this breakout treatment has many recommendations, there has also been an opposing side building. The following concerns have been enough to give many states pause about allowing the use of them.
· Dependency. Psychedelics can become addictive, especially to those with personality traits that leave them vulnerable to dependency.
· Unpredictability. These treatments can people in different ways. For some, it relieves tension, while for others, it might worsen under this condition. They can develop paranoia, and confuse mild discomforts for serious illnesses. The worst-case scenario is intrusive self-destructive thoughts. Consequences can linger long after the session is over.
· Hallucinations. These can become frightening if the person is already in a distressed mindset.
· Physical ailments. Psychedelics can cause headaches and elevate blood pressure.
In short, extensive medical history reviewing and profound soul-searching must be done to assess personal compatibility with this therapy option.
The patient must also take great care to discern the correctness of what they see and discover during these sessions. Psychedelics have been reported to reveal hidden memories from a person’s early life, potentially putting together a puzzle that has vexed them about why they have certain behaviors, aversions, discomfort in certain environments, and more. However, these memories must be carefully vetted out for accuracy, or they could have devastating consequences for the patient and those around them.
As with any substance that alters the mindset and lowers inhibitions, a person cannot operate machinery after these sessions. Driving in this state would leave a person open to getting into an accident, risking injury and/or legal trouble. Before one goes to a session, they need to have a driver or local transportation planned out.