Psychedelic Therapy 101

An increasing body of research supports the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics when used in controlled settings for specific mental health conditions.

The use of psychedelics in mental health treatment, known as psychedelic-assisted therapy, remains a relatively new phenomenon overshadowed by a complex reputation and uneven media coverage. Psychedelic-assisted therapy involves using substances such as LSD and psilocybin (magic mushrooms) alongside therapeutic methods to treat extreme mental health conditions like Treatment-Resistant Depression and end-of-life anxiety/depression.

Despite advancements in research on these substances, misconceptions and misunderstandings abound regarding their potential benefits and risks. Today, we aim to set the record straight and offer a new perspective on these substances and their documented medical potential.

The history of psychedelics is long and complex, from their use in holistic healing and religious ceremonies with indigenous tribes worldwide to the countercultural movement of the '60s and '70s, which led to a ban on these substances, hindering further research into their potential.

Over a decade later, these substances are still classified as Schedule 1 in the UK, meaning they have no proven scientific benefit, according to the government. However, multiple papers and research within the scientific community have analyzed this. With rising mental health rates and concerns, exploring, understanding, and discussing what these substances can do within a controlled medical environment helps demystify them and offers a fresh perspective.

Taking to the streets of the University of Westminster, interviewing your everyday student about their understanding of this complex issue with the aim of raising awareness and promoting discussion. Let's see what these students know and explore some misconceptions.

In his 2016 review, David Nichols, an American pharmacologist and medicinal chemist, explores the various definitions and terms used to describe or understand these substances. From negative associations with psychosis to the more commonly used term 'hallucinogens,' Nichols (2016) highlights the limitations of these terms. He defines classical serotonergic hallucinogens (LSD, psilocybin, DMT, and mescaline/peyote) as a class of psychoactive substances that produce profound alterations in perception, mood, and cognitive processes.

Nichols (2016) separates MDMA/Ecstasy due to its different effects on the brain compared to classic hallucinogens. However, these substances share some overlap in mood and perception alteration effects.

The discussion of psychedelics must acknowledge the initial interest in these substances within mainstream pop culture and the medical field. LSD, in particular, attracted speculation about its potential therapeutic benefits, leading researchers to examine it. Psychologists and psychiatrists conducted clinical research into using psychedelics to treat alcoholism and end-of-life anxiety and to facilitate mystical experiences (Doblin et al., 2019; Friesen, 2022). Initially, the media reported on psychedelics with intrigue and promise.

However, by the mid-to-late 1960s, the tone shifted dramatically as the counterculture movement embraced psychedelics. The media began portraying them as dangerous, fueling a moral panic. Major publications like The Los Angeles Times and The New York Times published sensationalized stories depicting LSD users negatively, presenting false science calculated to terrify the public. This negative coverage intensified the perception of psychedelics as a societal threat, ultimately leading to their criminalization in both countries by the end of the (Bracco, 2019; Stanger, 2021).

Psychedelics had a transformative effect on music and the arts during the 1960s and 1970s, characterized by experimentation and the exploration of consciousness. Bands like The Beatles and Pink Floyd experimented with new sounds and mind-expanding lyrics, defining psychedelic rock. Song lyrics explored consciousness and surreal imagery, reflecting altered states induced by LSD. This era sparked a cultural renaissance of experimentation and exploration (Williams, 2018).

The media plays a significant role in shaping public perception (Happer and Philo, 2013), from sensationalism to fueling moral panic. Unfortunately, negative stories about psychedelics seem to have persisted in the public consciousness. As the media landscape has developed, more balanced and nuanced perspectives have emerged on this topic. Rather than sensationalizing it, a more severe tone should be taken, exploring the scientific side of things. While we cannot prevent people from reacting to these substances, we should allow science to advance and explore their potential benefits.

Studies have shown promising results for using psychedelics to treat depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), addiction, and even existential distress in terminally ill patients (Kurtz et al., 2022). The psychedelic experience can promote neuroplasticity, allowing the brain to forge new neural connections and pathways (Lu, 2021; Grieco et al., 2022).