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Explore the most frequently asked questions about psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapies
1. Are psychedelics dangerous substances?
According to an analysis conducted by Professor David Nutt and his team from the Imperial College London (UK), psychedelics actually rank among the safest substances, in contrast to alcohol, which was identified as the most harmful substance by their analysis.
2. Are psychedelics addictive?
Although a common misconception associates psychedelics with substances of abuse, research findings actually indicate that they are generally not addictive in clinical settings. Actually, multiple clinical trials have been exploring the potential of psychedelic drugs combined with psychological support or psychotherapy to treat substance abuse, including tobacco and alcohol-use disorders. However, ketamine, an anaesthetic and also a non-classic psychedelic, has a highly addictive potential which can develop with frequent recreational use.
3. What’s the difference between classic therapy without psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT)?
Although a common misconception associates psychedelics with substances of abuse, research findings actually indicate that they are generally not addictive in clinical settings. Actually, multiple clinical trials have been exploring the potential of psychedelic drugs combined with psychological support or psychotherapy to treat substance abuse, including tobacco and alcohol-use disorders. However, ketamine, an anaesthetic and also a non-classic psychedelic, has a highly addictive potential which can develop with frequent recreational use.
4. Is psychedelic therapy just a New Age hype?
For centuries, psychedelics have been deeply rooted in the healing practices and spiritual ceremonies of indigenous cultures. Their use and research, however, was largely curtailed following their prohibition in the late 1960s, when they had been widely employed in the treatment of psychiatric conditions. Today, contemporary research is reigniting interest in their therapeutic potential, providing growing evidence of their effectiveness in treating conditions such as depression, PTSD, addiction, and anxiety.
5. Are overdoses common with psychedelics?
Classic psychedelics (e.g. Psilocybin, LSD) overdoses are uncommon and typically occur only when used in combination with other substances or at extremely high doses. While these substances generally have a wide safety margin, responsible use and proper supervision are crucial to reduce potential risks. Psilocybin, for instance, has a high therapeutic index, with a therapeutic dose at 15 to 30 mg and a lethal dose at 6 g, which is 500 times greater than the therapeutic dose.
6. How do psychedelic substances affect the human brain during a trip?
Various psychedelic substances induce altered states of consciousness but we can mention the main effects all of them seem to share. The human brain on psychedelics shows a much higher degree of connectivity between previously not connected or hardly connected brain centers; this tends to enhance visual perception, synesthesia, creativity and emotional processing. Furthermore, psychedelics have a profound effect on how the human brain experiences the Self or Ego and its emotions, sometimes leading to the sensation of being “one with the universe”.
7. What are the most important lasting beneficial effects of psychedelics on human brain and well-being?
Psychedelics were shown to have a beneficial effect on the human brain by enhancing its neuroplasticity and rewiring certain neural pathways, specifically involved in emotional processing of trauma, depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms. With the correct clinical framework, psychedelics were shown to enhance stress resilience, emotional stability and outlook on life, as well as alleviate the symptoms of the above mentioned mental conditions.
8. What are the similarities and differences between psychedelic trips and practices such as meditation and altered states of consciousness?
Psychedelics are sometimes called “a shortcut” to the states of consciousness associated with spiritual awakening and long term practices of various forms of meditation. The similarities include enhanced cognitive functioning, emotional resilience, psychological well-being and creativity. The main difference is that psychedelics, with the right set and settings, are capable of triggering certain processes in the brain without a long and dedicated mental practice, offering the chance of having cognitive and spiritual breakthroughs that might take years with traditional meditation practices.
9. Are the long-term effects of psychedelics beneficial or harmful?
Recent research on the long-term effects of psychedelic substances indicates that their supervised use, together with the support framework mentioned earlier, could have lasting beneficial effects. However, the use of such substances in certain small populations was found to lead to prolonged side effects, especially when taken in unsupervised settings. Studies on the long-term effects of psychedelics are currently ongoing to further explore this topic.
