Psychedelic Psychotherapy, and to a more moderate degree, meditation, are emerging treatments becoming more popular as they continue to gain acceptance in the world of traditional mental health therapy.
Though both treatment methods have been around for hundreds of years, they are now “emerging” in the sense they’re becoming more mainstream. Back in the 60’s, when LSD advocate Dr. Timothy Leary championed the use of psychedelics for reasons other than recreational, he was widely viewed as nothing more than a California drug dealer masking his goofballs as new-age medicine.
The suits in Washington weren’t buying it and laws were enacted that categorized his wares as Schedule 1 Controlled Substances, the worst of the worst. Joe Friday, on the popular TV show Dragnet, was seen busting hippies eating paint and climbing walls. America was saved from the mescaline menace. There was no gray area… drugs were bad, m-kay?
Fast-forward a few decades and the “just say no” crowd is becoming more open to alternative methods in the treatment of mental disorders, not the least of which is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), all too common among combat veterans.
Treatment for Those in Need
Data provided by former county health director Dr. Bob Lorinser shows that up to 20% of combat-exposed veterans develop PTSD, while an estimated 4% of the civilian population are also affected.
Local advocate Dr. Scott Emerson supports the use of psychedelic assisted therapy for patients who may have already failed traditional interventions. “Psychedelics tend to clear the mind quickly of rigid or stuck thought patterns that constantly run in the background of many depressed and anxious patients.”
So, what are we talking about here… tripping on acid in your dealer’s basement and hoping you come out enlightened and stress free? No. Emerson describes the treatment as “the use of psychedelic drugs and/or ‘natural’ medicines within a variety of safe and supportive settings.” Keyword… safe. When testifying before Congress in 1966, Dr. Leary addressed Senator Ted Kennedy’s concerns about the safety of his drugs. “Sir, the motorcar is dangerous if used improperly.”
As a long time ER doc, I’m sure Emerson knows the difference between drug abuse and drug therapy. “Psychedelics are among the safest drugs known and are not addictive. In fact, they are being studied now in major centers with good preliminary results for treatment of alcohol, tobacco, opiate, and stimulant addictions.”
And, according to Emerson, it’s a process… not an immediate cure. “During the weeks and months after a Psychedelic session, the brain literally rewires into new ways of being. Proper, well-intended, healing support is essential for the best outcomes during this period. Holistic lifestyle improvements (in nutrition, sleep, exercise etc.) can become easier to begin and become more lasting during this period.”
Is it Legal?
The industry still has to work through the legalities of the use of certain drugs. Currently, Ketamine (legal since the 1970s) is the only legal psychedelic, given by a doctor’s prescription. Emerson explains, “Psychedelic ‘legalization’ may follow the path that Cannabis is going thru with State by State passing referendums and laws to legalize or decriminalize drugs or natural products like psilocybin. Michigan is not yet one of these (except Washtenaw county), so everything but Ketamine is officially illegal here.”
Widespread use of psychedelic assisted therapy is contingent upon FDA approvals, so local treatment programs are still in their infancy. However, one proponent I heard from indicated he was referred to the treatment by his family physician and found the experience life changing.
Aaron Rodgers fans might be familiar with ayahuasca, the organic drug of choice for relaxation and self-awareness used by the former Green Bay quarterback. Though it apparently brings comfort to the guy throwing the ball for the hapless New York Jets, it’s illegal in the states, and has only been subject to limited therapeutic clinical trials.
If you’re interested in learning more about psychedelics in the treatment of mental disorders, you can register for the free Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Global Summit, taking place online, beginning February 18th.
Not Quite Ready to Turn On and Tune In?
If psychedelic assisted therapy falls a little out of your comfort zone, you might want to try something a little less “mind altering”… mediation. A local group called Meditate Marquette holds a number of different meditation sessions designed to facilitate varied tastes and schedules.
Group president Deb Smith explains the basics. “Meditation comes in many forms. Recent research shows that it affects the mind, body, and spirit. For instance, some folks come to meditation/prayer through their spiritual beliefs (Christian Prayer, Buddhist Meditation), while others will pick up a meditation practice and find that it leads them to greater spirituality. It affects the mind, body, and spirit!”
Being unfamiliar with the practice, I recently attended one of their Touch-In Tuesday Mindfulness Sessions at the Peter White Public Library. Though my brain hasn’t been conditioned in how to be still or quiet or calm or anything other than cluttered and cloudy, I found the hour-long session to be mentally therapeutic.
When was the last time you experienced an hour of tranquility with the only sounds being the host’s gentle relaxation guidance and the occasional “Om” intonation? Phones are off, lights are dim, and no one’s talking politics or sharing recipes. It’s surprisingly refreshing!
Full disclosure… at one point I wasn’t sure I could be that still for a full hour. And then, suddenly, the hour was up. Even though I was a novice, I found myself getting lost in my thoughts, oblivious to the passage of time.
In addition to just shutting it down for a while, meditation also offers tangible benefits. According to Smith, “Meditation has been shown to strengthen our immune systems, slow our aging processes, improve our attention, concentration, and memory, improve relationships, increase teamwork, build more resiliency, and so on.”
Meditate Marquette, co-sponsored by the library, is described as a volunteer-led group promoting compassion, peace, and wellness of mind, body, and spirit.
Even if it’s just an hour at a time, we can never have too much of that.