Psilocybin and depression
The awareness that psilocybin sessions are a very strong treatment method for depression is increasing. Scientific studies increasingly show that psilocybin is most effective in treating treatment-resistant depression. All these studies are based on a single high dose of psilocybin without lifestyle changes. What would happen if all test subjects were also advised to live a healthier lifestyle outside of the psilocybin session?
The trip therapy treatment for depression
The majority of our customers suffer from depression. From the work experience of trip therapy, we learn that the results of depression treatments with psychedelics such as psilocybin work even better if we make an action plan to promote physical and mental health. We do this with trip therapy based on an intake and neurotransmitter question test so that we can improve the neurochemistry of the brain before the psychedelic session. This, together with some extra preparation, provides a good basis and a better psychedelic session.
Movie suggestions 
Video suggestions 
Read suggestions 
Exercise advice 
Supplement advice 
Nutritional advice
Trip therapy timeline
Report
Report
During registration, you will complete an intake form and a questionnaire about your state of mind, the so-called neurotransmitter test.
Advice
2 weeks before the sessionAdvice
We will contact you within a few days to advise you. The advice concerns nutrition, supplements and possibly exercise advice.
Monitoring
1 week before the sessionMonitoring
After following the advice, there will be contact again after about a week about the progress and effect of the advice. We can still decide to change the planning here if necessary.
Additional suggestions
3 days before the sessionAdditional Suggestions
The three days before your session are the most important days of your preparation. Connect the dots here and we will give you extra tips. For example, certain things to read or videos to watch.
Assignment and information
1 day before the sessionAssignment and information
The day before the psychedelic session you will receive information about the day of the session. For example, about what you can and cannot eat before and after your session. If it helps, we can also give you an extra small assignment to make the session even more effective.
Half an hour before the session
30 minutes before the sessionBefore the session
On the day of the ceremony we will meet as agreed and conduct the session. This is an important day and we will spend about half an hour, or longer if necessary, talking about intentions and goals. We also prepare you here for what you can expect and how you can deal with certain situations.
The intake
The psychedelic sessionThe intake
As soon as you are ready, you can take the psychedelics we make available. We will continue to discuss this and keep an eye on the goals.
The first effects
15-30 minutes after ingestionThe first effects
The first psychedelic effects can occur after about fifteen minutes. This can vary from optical disturbances to the emergence of various feelings. Some experience the beginning as something very nice and others find it unpleasant. During this phase, your coach will help you relax, as relaxation plays the key role in beginning the psychedelic journey.
The peak
60-90 minutes after ingestionThe introspection
The peak of the psychedelic effects will begin about an hour to an hour and a half after ingestion. This peak is extremely suitable for turning more inward. The coach will give you space for introspection during this phase. Every now and then you can expect a question that you may not be able to answer in words. Depending on your needs, this phase sometimes lasts only 30 minutes or sometimes even two hours.
After the peak
2-5 hours after ingestionComing down
During the coming down, the entire perception will gradually return to the way it was before the trip, but with a number of insights and positive changes. Depending on the dosage, the coming down occurs approximately 2 hours after ingestion. During the coming down we will have more contact again.
End of session
4-10 hours after ingestionFinal discussion session
As soon as you have both feet on the ground again, we will have a final conversation for today. You may still experience the effects of psychedelics mildly. These effects sometimes last 12 hours after ingestion. Even though you can do almost everything again, we recommend that you take it easy and do not make appointments.
Day after the session
Day after the sessionRest day
The day after the psychedelic session can be a day with a lot or little energy. We recommend that you keep this day free just to be safe.
Integration
The days after the sessionIntegration
The days after the session we will be in contact about the experiences and what you could do with them in daily life.
For whom is psilocybin therapy not suitable?
Psilocybin and certain medications definitely cannot be taken together. There are also a few other physical contraindications that we should take into account. Furthermore, some mental health conditions can be worsened by the use of psychedelics. Here are the contraindications.
Physically:
- High bloodpressure
- Heart and vascular disease
- 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 (Efexor) – Duloxetine (Cymbalta) etc…
- TCA: mitriptyline (Tryptizol®) – clomipramine (Anafranil®) – imipramine – nortriptyline (Nortrilen®) etc….
- Benzodiazepines: oxazepam (Seresta), – diazepam (Valium) – alprazolam (Xanax) etc…
- Medicines for high blood pressure: (methyldopa, guanethidine, reserpine)
- Tramadol and similar resources.
If you use a medication that cannot be combined with psychedelics, you can discuss with the prescribing doctor whether you can gradually reduce this medication. So never just stop taking medication without consulting your doctor. A psychedelic session can take place two weeks after complete abstinence from the above medications.
The first steps in depression treatments
Step 1
We can gradually call depression an inflammatory disease. The decrease in serotonin, dopamine and GABA is often a result of nutrient deficiencies and/or mild to severe inflammatory reactions in the body. It is best to do as much good as possible by identifying the causes as much as possible. Let's start with a good diet that reduces the risk of nutrient deficiency and inflammation. Read the next blog for more information about the anti-depression diet.
Step 2
If you are allergic to certain foods or substances in the environment, it is good to avoid them as much as possible. Allergies also increase inflammation levels and therefore the risk of depression. Requesting an allergy test can provide very useful information.
Step 3
During sleep the body and brain are repaired. Good sleep is an important factor. During sleep, a hormone called BDNF is released, which restores areas of the brain that have generally declined in health due to depression. BDNF appears to play a greater role in preventing depression in men than in women.
Step 4
View the image below and assess which causes of stress and therefore inflammation you can eliminate. The more you do good, the better all parts 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 changes on a physical level. New connections are created in the brain through neurogenesis. This effect in itself improves mood. In addition to these physical changes, insights gained during the psychedelic state can cause changes in thinking and behavior. All these changes together provide the desired result. Change is therefore the key to success in a world where the only thing that always remains the same is... change.
How many psilocybin sessions are needed?
For the treatment of depression, most clients only need 1 or 2 sessions, of which the first session is often at a lower dose than the second. There is a period of approximately two months between these sessions. These two months are used to work with the insights. Everyone does this in their own way.
How have other people experienced trip therapy for depression?
We have a number of reviews on the forum from customers who have undergone a psilocybin session to combat depression. Here are the hyperlinks to a number of reviews:
How can we help you?
Everyone is unique and needs a slightly different approach. What other goals do you have outside of depression treatment? Depression is often accompanied by anxiety complaints. In any case, let us know your total location via the intake or contact form so that we can take a tailor-made approach.