Medicinal drugs?
Popularly, drugs are often used to refer to addictive street drugs. However, there are many different substances that fall under the umbrella term "drugs." Some fall under the heading of drug abuse, addictive substances, or medicinal drugs such as marijuana. The way drugs are used is, of course, the most important factor. Recently, hallucinogens, and even psychedelics without hallucinogenic effects, have been in the spotlight for their therapeutic potential. We therefore view psychedelics as a completely different subtype of the various drugs, and psychedelics are therefore the least harmful. This refers to the least harmful and most researched: psilocybin from magic mushrooms and magic truffles. But LSD and MDMA are also receiving increasing attention.
What do the different psychedelics have in common?
1: BDNF
Almost all psychedelics are known to increase activity on serotonin receptors. This is usually done because psychedelics resemble serotonin and therefore fit into the same receptors. With some drugs, such as MDMA, activity is increased by releasing more of the body's own serotonin stores. Overall, most effects are achieved by stimulating the 5HT2a serotonin receptor. The level of stimulation, particularly of the 5HT2a receptor, as well as a mix of other receptors, causes a change in perception, mood, and the formation of new connections in the brain. These new connections in the brain are attributed to the increased production of the neurotrophin BDNF. When the body releases more BDNF, it flips a switch on a series of genes that grows brand-new brain cells, nerve cells, and connections. Even higher levels of BDNF result in faster learning, better memory, slower aging, and a rapid rearrangement of connections between the brain and the body.
BDNF also increases brain plasticity. When brain cells are damaged or encounter a stressful situation, BDNF protects them and helps them bounce back stronger. Neural pathways become more flexible instead of broken down, which could explain why higher BDNF levels are associated with fighting off depression.
2: DMN activity
The Default Mode Network (DMN) encompasses areas of the cortex normally active during rest and is involved in event recall, social and emotional judgment, and future planning. Reducing DMN activity leads to a loss of sense of time and a greater focus on the here and now. This means that worries and fears about the future disappear.
Lower DMN activity therefore leads to lower stress levels and therefore lower cortisol. Low cortisol allows the body to utilize its self-healing abilities, helping to combat illness and inflammation. Thanks to reduced inflammation levels, more serotonin is released, which in turn triggers the release of BDNF, while also reducing anxiety and depression.
Read more about being in the now
3: Less ego
Psychedelics in higher doses cause self-awareness to decline because a greater degree of connection can be experienced. The ego generally wants to be fed with ever more, often unhealthy, things. The ego makes us restless and anxious, as self-preservation is its primary goal. Without it, we will not survive, but an overactive ego leads to separation, loneliness, and addiction.
Less ego means more connectedness, less depression, more serotonin, more BDNF, more healthy choices, less stress, and less DMN activity.
4: Emotions are allowed
It's common for emotions that have been blocked for a long time to surface during a psilocybin session. Releasing this "old pain" releases emotional blockages and sometimes even psychosomatic complaints. It can sometimes feel liberating to feel everything that needs to be felt, uninhibited. Because psychedelics can also induce a sense of contentment, these "negative" emotions can often be more easily felt and processed into something one can be satisfied with.
5: Hallucinations
MDMA produces almost no hallucinations at normal doses, while other well-known psychedelics do. LSD, psilocybin, and DMT (ayahuasca) are known to induce hallucinations. These hallucinations, combined with the effects described above, can lead to new, helpful insights, spiritual experiences, or a truly beautiful experience that defies description. We believe it also offers insight into how the subconscious works, and with this new knowledge, one can make healthier choices more easily. Want to learn more about hallucinations? Then read on via the link:
Starting psychedelic therapy?
With us, our sessions begin with an intake form. After completing the intake form, you'll receive an initial consultation by email, including the recommended trip and dosage. The email also includes an explanation of the approach and how to schedule a psychedelic session.
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