Coping with childhood trauma using psychedelics
Psychedelic therapy has been gaining momentum since 2022, gaining recognition and achieving high success rates in processing (childhood) trauma. The most commonly used psychedelics for childhood trauma are psilocybin and MDMA. They are two completely different substances, yet both are considered classic psychedelics. Psilocybin occurs naturally in Psilocybe mushrooms (and truffles). MDMA is a synthetic drug, although its precursor, MDA, does occur naturally (nutmeg). The effects of these two substances are also very different.
Psilocybin session for childhood trauma
Psilocybin sessions in the Netherlands are conducted with psilocybin truffles. Psilocybin is the substance that, after being converted into psilocin, produces the effects of this substance. Psilocybin is primarily used for depression, addiction, and social anxiety. Psilocybin is a multi-purpose treatment because it can also be used for childhood trauma and PTSD, provided the necessary preparation is done. Psilocybin is usually chosen when talking doesn't provide a solution. Psilocybin sessions are less rational, and the experience itself is more important than the words used. Furthermore, psilocin plays a role in acceptance and connection, and thus often in progress.
More information Psilocybin therapy
MDMA session for childhood trauma
MDMA therapy is primarily used for PTSD and (childhood) trauma. These MDMA sessions are especially suitable for people who would benefit greatly from talk therapy or exposure therapy, but are experiencing blockages. MDMA can temporarily release these blocks caused by anxiety, easily allowing the sessions to take a positive turn. MDMA is an illegal substance in the Netherlands, and therefore we can only offer MDMA sessions with a substance that resembles 95%.
More information: MDMA therapy
With psilocybin you will hallucinate and with MDMA you will not
One advantage of psilocybin is the hallucinations. Just like dreams, the images seen can have a story behind them. Some images lead to insights. For people with severe trauma, the hallucinations can be a disadvantage, as the old images can sometimes lead to negative effects. In such cases, MDMA often seems a better option because it doesn't cause clear hallucinations and reduces the chance of reliving the experience.
Psilocybin trips go beyond rational thinking
While MDMA allows you to engage in conversation more readily while feeling comfortable, including talking about your trauma, psilocybin makes it difficult to talk during the peak of the session. During the peak of the psilocybin session, you transcend thought and enter an experience you likely can't express. As previously described, psilocybin sessions seem particularly suitable if talking doesn't get you anywhere, while MDMA sessions are more suitable if you can't talk about your trauma while sober and still want to work toward healing through talk therapy. The choice between MDMA and psilocybin should primarily depend on whether visual hallucinations are desired and whether talk therapy without blockade (MDMA) or a journey into the subconscious (psilocybin) will be helpful.
What suits you best?
To undergo a trip therapy session, we must screen for health and safety. We do this through an intake interview. We will also advise you on the best medication and dosage. The intake interview will also serve as the basis for advice during the preparation for the psychedelic session. The intake interview can be found via the link below:
