Nov 1, 2024
By: Kapil Yadav
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Psychedelics are drugs that affect perception, emotional state, and cognitive processes. They are capable of bringing about intense experiences and encouraging self-reflection, which is why they are used in therapeutic, religious, and recreational activities.
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Psychedelics primarily affect serotonin receptors, particularly the 5-HT2A subtype. This interaction enhances connectivity between different brain regions, helping to disrupt patterns of negative thinking. As a result, they can facilitate emotional release and create fresh perspectives and insights.
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Psychedelics can be effective in treating depression in multiple ways. Primarily, they act as serotonin receptor agonists, affecting mood and perception. Also, these substances induce various changes in brain connectivity, leading to altered neural pathways. Together, these effects contribute to significant psychological shifts, enhancing therapeutic outcomes.
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Psychedelic-assisted therapy is a combined method that uses psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy with the help of psychedelics targeting deep emotions for healing. This model can increase the chances of therapeutic dissolution and improvement of mental health through the use of guided imagination.
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Psychedelics can cause adverse side effects such as anxiety, intrusive thoughts, dulling of sensations, nausea, sudden drowsiness, or a very intense rush, during the session. In therapy, some participants go through intense feelings or emotions, or even go through what may be referred to as “bad trips.” This is why management and appropriate preparation need to be firmly observed.
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Legal and ethical considerations on the use of psychedelics for the treatment of depression include issues on obtaining informed consent, determining the appropriateness of the patients, following the rules, and minimising harm while maximising opportunity for populations who have the right to be treated ethically.
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Psychedelics that are known to be safe and effective for the treatment of depression are psilocybin and MDMA, both of which are relatively new. Psilocybin has received approval in particular regions, as opposed to the psychotropic drug ketamine, which has numerous applications. Fast-acting psychedelics such as LSD and ayahuasca are also being studied.
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It can be expected that the new treatment will provide new approaches to treating therapy-resistant illnesses, new therapeutic areas, efficient delivery, and new treatment perfection. Incorporating it into the treatment of depression, anxiety, and trauma could revolutionise the field of mental health.
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