“Many people describe psychedelic experiences as profoundly meaningful, which may help them develop a sense of purpose in life or envisage an alternative to being stuck in a rut with alcohol.”
— Dr. David Nutt
Benefits
Numerous studies have investigated the benefits of psilocybin-assisted therapy. Below is a list of conditions that have been studied and shown to have found reduced symptoms of and better overall outcomes for people. This is not an exhaustive list. You can also search for “psilocybin + (a symptom or condition you have) to find more. This may be a useful start: The Emergence of Psychedelics as Medicine.
Cancer-Related Psychiatric Distress
Treatment-Resistant Depression
Addiction and Smoking Cessation
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Cluster Headaches
Integration
I highly recommend everyone listen to this wonderful podcast, The Ecstasy of an Open Brain. While it focuses on MDMA-Assisted Therapy, Dr. Gül Dölen speaks about the critical window of integration and the unique time frames for each psychedelic. Should you and I work together, I will talk more about this and suggest you listen to it.
Psychedelics are not a magic pill. It seems many people are in search of the “one thing” that will help them reach the next place in healing. While the potential for deep healing exists with psychedelic-assisted therapy, psychedelics are not a panacea. Psychedelic-assisted therapy encompasses preparation, journey, and integration and requires our conscious attention to a full process beyond just the journey day with the medicine. Nothing will ever take away the need to actually do the work of healing. Healing is an active process. Integration of your psilocybin journey can lead to long-term gains.
“Although many of us think of psychedelics as dangerous drugs, it’s time for a rethink. They are non-toxic, non-addictive, have very few side effects, and could potentially offer relief for people suffering from a range of psychological difficulties.”
—Dr. Rosalind Watts
