Feeling depressed or anxious lately? It’s tough to stay positive when every news update seems to bring more bad news. Even though the pandemic is mostly behind us, there are still plenty of global issues to deal with. In fact, depression and anxiety rates skyrocketed by a remarkable 25 percent during and after the pandemic.
Many people struggle with situational depression and anxiety, which can often be eased through time, talk therapy, and conventional antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications. But for those with treatment-resistant depression and anxiety, finding relief has been a challenge.
That is, until now. The scientific community is increasingly exploring psychedelics as a potential solution for severe depression and anxiety. Some treatments offer a brain “reset,” giving patients hope for long-awaited relief.
Treatment-resistant depression and anxiety
If you’ve been diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety, there are numerous traditional methods available for treatment. It’s crucial to remember that our diet and lifestyle significantly influence our mental health. (Check out one of my healthy recipes that I eat on a weekly basis, as an example.) Talk therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, remains one of the most popular approaches, helping individuals navigate their cognitive distortions.
Others may turn to antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, which can help regulate brain chemistry to alleviate symptoms. Additionally, practices like meditation, yoga, CBD, deep breathing, and lifestyle changes can be effective in managing these conditions. However, some forms of depression and anxiety don’t respond to these methods, leading to what’s termed as treatment-resistant depression and/or anxiety. Traditional methods of coping with mood disorders are ineffective. For years, people thought that there was no hope for relief…until recently.
Psychedelics and mental health
The New York Times noted that “Oregon is legalizing mushrooms. Ketamine can be delivered to your home. People are microdosing LSD to treat pandemic-related anxiety and Wall Street is pouring billions into companies that sell mind-altering drugs.”
Psychedelics have a bad rap, thanks to their association with subversive cultures—not to mention that they’re still illegal under federal law. But now, researchers are finding that controlled doses of certain psychedelics, paired with talk therapy, can help people finally conquer their treatment-resistant depression and anxiety.
As of March 2021, scientists were about to begin using DMT to treat people with moderate to severe depression in a clinical trial. They believe that the treatment will have longer-lasting effects than traditional antidepressants. Better yet, the results are usually immediate. For people who have been suffering for years or even decades, this is an exciting proposition.
Psychedelics don’t have the same addictive qualities as opiates, amphetamines and other federally-banned drugs. They activate a different part of the brain, one that allow people to process difficult emotions and flashbacks (such as PTSD flashbacks) without the kind of conscious distress that makes their disorders so difficult to treat. The Times quoted Katharine Neill Harris, a drug policy researcher at Rice University in Texas: “You’re not likely to overdose on them, but you can have life-changing negative experiences.”
Researchers have studied DMT (the active ingredient in ayahuasca, also known as the “spirit molecule”), LSD, psilocybin, ketamine and MDMA. They are showing promising preliminary results treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, alcoholism, schizophrenia and more. Some drugs, like ketamine, may even encourage neurological regrowth in the prefrontal cortex: atrophy of the prefrontal cortex can cause a number of mental illnesses and mood disorders.
Depending on the drug, the study and the type of treatment offered, a typical appointment is overseen by a psychiatrist or health practitioner. A patient is given a controlled dose of the psychedelic. A mental health professional may remain on hand to monitor the “trip,” or actively guide the patient through processing their difficult emotions. Later, they may engage in talk therapy to help process what the patient experienced, and how they’re feeling now. It seems that most patients experience significant, immediate relief, and only need a few sessions to resolve otherwise treatment-resistant depression, anxiety and other disorders.
Is psychedelic treatment right for you?
The medical and psychological community has a long way to go before this treatment is available to the general public—the federal government probably has something to say about it, too. However, initial results are promising. Patients who have been experiencing traumatic, painful conditions for years are suddenly finding new perspective and peace.
Depending on where you live, psychedelic mental health treatment may already be available. If you’re interested in finding out more, talk to your therapist or medical doctor about services or clinical trials available near you.
About the author : Janna Breslin
