How to Heal PTSD with Psychedelic Therapy
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
While there are many treatments available for PTSD, some people find that psychedelic therapy can be helpful. Psychedelic therapy involves using a psychedelic drug, such as psilocybin (magic mushrooms), MDMA (ecstasy), or ketamine, in a controlled setting with a therapist.
How does psychedelic therapy work?
Psychedelic drugs can help to change the way the brain processes information. This can lead to a number of benefits for people with PTSD, including:
Reduced anxiety and fear
Increased self-awareness and empathy
Improved mood and outlook on life
Enhanced creativity and problem-solving skills
What are the risks of psychedelic therapy?
Psychedelic therapy is still a relatively new field of research, so there is still some uncertainty about the risks involved. However, the risks appear to be relatively low, especially when compared to the risks of other treatments for PTSD, such as medication and psychotherapy.
Some of the potential risks of psychedelic therapy include:
Anxiety or fear during the psychedelic experience
Flashbacks or other negative psychological effects after the psychedelic experience
Interactions with other medications
Potential for abuse
Psychedelic therapy for PTSD is a relatively new treatment, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. However, some people who have undergone psychedelic therapy for PTSD have described the experience as follows:
The experience can be both challenging and rewarding.
It can be helpful to have a trusted therapist present during the experience.
The experience can be emotionally intense, and it is important to be prepared for this.
The experience can be life-changing, and it can help people to heal from their trauma.
Is psychedelic therapy right for me?
If you are considering psychedelic therapy for PTSD, it is important to talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. They can help you to determine if psychedelic therapy is right for you and can provide you with more information about the risks and benefits involved.
Psilocybin and MDMA Therapy for Veterans with PTSD
A veteran with PTSD who used psilocybin mushrooms to treat his symptoms:
"I was in the military for 10 years, and I saw a lot of things that I never should have seen. I came home with PTSD, and I was struggling to cope with the memories and the nightmares. I tried medication and therapy, but nothing seemed to help. Then, I heard about psychedelic therapy, and I decided to give it a try. I was hesitant at first, but I'm so glad I did. The psilocybin mushrooms helped me to process my trauma in a way that I never could have before. I'm no longer having nightmares, and I'm finally able to sleep through the night. I'm also feeling more connected to my family and friends, and I'm starting to enjoy life again. I'm so grateful for psychedelic therapy, and I know that it saved my life."
A veteran with PTSD who used MDMA to treat his PTSD:
“The feeling I got was nothing at all for 45 minutes, then really bad anxiety, and I was fighting it at first,” said Anthony, the Iraq veteran, who patrolled southwest of Baghdad in 2006 and 2007 amid relentless insurgent harassment and attacks with improvised explosive devices. “And then — I don’t know how to put it, exactly — I felt O.K. and messed up at the same time. Clear. It was almost like I could go into any thought I wanted and fix it.”For instance, he could think and talk about an attack that occurred in a town near Baghdad, in which Iraqis posing as allies — and who had been armed by the American military — turned their guns on American troops, killing several. The unit could not quickly evacuate its wounded because of weather conditions. Anthony’s rage and grief were so overwhelming that he had to suppress them and did so for years.”
A woman with PTSD who used MDMA to treat her symptoms:
"I was raped when I was 16 years old, and I've been struggling with PTSD ever since. I tried medication and therapy, but nothing seemed to help. I was feeling hopeless and like I would never be able to heal. Then, I heard about MDMA-assisted therapy, and I decided to give it a try. I was nervous at first, but I'm so glad I did. The MDMA helped me to connect with my emotions in a way that I never could have before. I was able to cry and process my trauma in a safe and supportive environment. I'm no longer having flashbacks or nightmares, and I'm finally able to feel like myself again. I'm so grateful for MDMA-assisted therapy, and I know that it saved my life."
A man with PTSD who used ketamine to treat his symptoms:
"I was in a car accident when I was 25 years old, and I suffered a traumatic brain injury. I was left with PTSD, and I was struggling to cope with the symptoms. I tried medication and therapy, but nothing seemed to help. I was feeling hopeless and like I would never be able to live a normal life. Then, I heard about ketamine-assisted therapy, and I decided to give it a try. I was nervous at first, but I'm so glad I did. The ketamine helped me to break through the emotional numbness that I had been experiencing. I was able to feel my emotions again, and I was able to start to process my trauma. I'm no longer having flashbacks or nightmares, and I'm finally able to feel like myself again. I'm so grateful for ketamine-assisted therapy, and I know that it saved my life."