Psilocybin and depression
The awareness that psilocybin sessions are a very powerful treatment for depression is growing. Scientific studies increasingly show that psilocybin is most effective for treatment-resistant depression. All these studies are based on a single high dose of psilocybin without any lifestyle changes. What would happen if all participants were also advised to adopt a healthier lifestyle outside of the psilocybin session?
The trip therapy treatment for depression
Most of our clients suffer from depression. From our experience with trip therapy, we've learned that the results of depression treatments with psychedelics like psilocybin are even better when we develop a plan of action to promote physical and mental health. In trip therapy, we do this through an intake and neurotransmitter questionnaire, allowing us to improve the brain's neurochemistry before the psychedelic session. This, combined with some additional preparation, creates a solid foundation and a more effective psychedelic session.
Movie suggestions 
Video suggestions 
Read suggestions 
Exercise advice 
Supplement advice 
Nutritional advice
Who is psilocybin therapy not suitable for?
Psilocybin and certain medications are definitely not compatible. There are also a few other physical contraindications we should be aware of. Furthermore, some mental health conditions can be exacerbated by psychedelic use. Here are the contraindications.
Physically:
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Brain hemorrhages
- Pregnancy
Mental:
- Schizophrenia
- Psychosis (sensitivity)
- Borderline
Medication:
- SSRi: citalopram (Cipramil®) – escitalopram (Lexapro®) – fluoxetine (Prozac®) – fluvoxamine (Fevarin®) – paroxetine (Seroxat®) – sertraline (Zoloft®) etc…
- SNRi: Venlafaxine (Effexor) – Duloxetine (Cymbalta) etc…
- TCA: mitriptyline (Tryptizol®) – clomipramine (Anafranil®) – imipramine – nortriptyline (Nortrilen®) etc….
- Benzodiazepines: oxazepam (Seresta), – diazepam (Valium) – alprazolam (Xanax) etc…
- High blood pressure remedies: (methyldopa, guanethidine, reserpine)
- Tramadol and similar means.
If you are taking a medication that is incompatible with psychedelics, you can discuss with your prescribing physician whether you can gradually reduce your medication. Therefore, never stop taking medication without consulting your doctor. A psychedelic session can occur two weeks after complete abstinence from the above medications.
The first steps in depression treatment
Step 1
We can gradually begin to call depression an inflammatory disease. The decrease in serotonin, dopamine, and GABA is often the result of nutrient deficiencies and/or mild to severe inflammatory reactions in the body. Identifying the underlying causes is the best way to do as much good as possible. Let's start with a healthy diet that reduces the risk of nutrient deficiencies and inflammation. Read the following blog post for more information about the anti-depression diet.
Step 2
If you're allergic to certain foods or substances in your environment, it's best to avoid them as much as possible. Allergies also increase inflammation and thus the risk of depression. Requesting an allergy test can provide very useful information.
Step 3
During sleep, the body and brain repair themselves. Good sleep is a key factor. During sleep, a hormone called BDNF is released, which promotes the recovery of brain areas that typically decline in health due to depression. BDNF appears to play a greater role in preventing depression in men than in women.
Step 4
Look at the image below and assess which causes of stress, and thus inflammation, you can eliminate. The more you do right, the better all the components of the fight against depression will work together.
Step 5
Implement our advice that we give after registering for trip therapy for a period of 1-3 weeks.
Start the intake for trip therapy here
Step 6
The psychedelic session causes physical changes. New connections are formed in the brain through neurogenesis. This effect in itself improves mood. Besides these physical changes, insights gained during the psychedelic state can lead to changes in thinking and behavior. All these changes together produce the desired result. Change is therefore the key to success in a world where the only thing that remains constant is... change.
How many psilocybin sessions are needed?
For most clients, we only need one or two sessions for depression treatment, with the first session often containing a lower dose than the second. There's a period of approximately two months between these sessions. These two months are used to work with the insights gained. Everyone approaches this in their own way.
How have other people experienced trip therapy for depression?
We have several reviews on the forum from customers who have undergone psilocybin sessions to combat depression. Here are the links to some of the reviews:
How can we help you?
Everyone is unique and requires a slightly different approach. What other goals do you have beyond depression treatment? Depression often coexists with anxiety. Please let us know your full situation through the intake form or contact form so we can develop a personalized approach.