The future of mental health and psychedelics
Traditional mental health care (GGZ) has served us for years, but is increasingly struggling with the complexities of modern mental challenges. Where it often came down to medication for symptoms or isolated talk therapy, we are now seeing a shift. Indeed, studies are increasingly showing that many complaints arise the things that happen at the cellular level and therefore seep into the psyche. It is, as it were, a neurobiological effect. Thanks to renewed insights, the call for holistic approaches to mental disorders is growing. At Triptherapie, we have been committed for eight years to a profound, holistic approach that recognises that our mental health is not an isolated phenomenon, but a delicate interaction between body, mind and environment. Here, psychedelics can play a key role as they influence all areas. Our future vision is still the same as the original; work on health in all areas to promote synergy and use psychedelic therapy as a key component as a catalyst for better results.
The brain and body as computer
To better explain why a holistic approach is better than just focusing on a psychedelic session itself, we like to use an analogy. Imagine your brain and body together as an extremely sophisticated computer.
The hardware (your body & biochemistry): These are the physical components. Your nerve cells, hormones, neurotransmitters, your gut flora, your diet (everything tangible and measurable). If the hardware falters due to, say, chronic inflammation, nutritional deficiencies or hormonal imbalance, then the best software in the world cannot function optimally.
The software (your thoughts): These are your thinking patterns, beliefs, emotional reactions, traumas and coping mechanisms. It is the ‘programming’ that determines how you interact with the world. Entrenched negative thought patterns are like a virus or an outdated operating system that keeps crashing.
The user (consciousness): It is you who operate the computer. It is you who has to apply the insights and implement the new ‘updates’ in everyday life.
The limitation of GGZ
Many traditional treatments focus on only one aspect because they are adopted from scientific studies with few variables. The problem arises when the standard mental health model adopts these isolated findings and translates them into practice as a standard protocol, while the holistic aspects are completely ignored. The focus is then only on one or two aspects such as:
Medication: This is like plugging in an external device that temporarily relieves symptoms but does not solve the underlying hardware problems, nor does it reprogram the software.
Psychotherapy: This is like debugging software, cleaning up viruses and learning new programmes. Indispensable, but if the hardware (your body) is rusty, the software remains slow and vulnerable.
The holistic Triptherapie approach
The power of Triptherapie lies in recognising that your computer (your mental well-being) is a complete system upgrade needs. This is where the pooling of biochemistry, neurobiology and the psychologists together with the lifestyle coaches synergise to improve the chances of recovery:
1: The hardware
Triptherapie is like the system administrator optimising the hardware. We look at the biochemical basis during preparation: your diet, lifestyle, neurotransmitters any deficiencies at the cellular level. Through advice on supplements and diet, we ensure that the body (the hardware) is in optimal condition. This is crucial because a ‘healthy’ computer is less prone to ‘viruses’ and can process ‘updates’ better. A body that is well-nourished and balanced can better carry the intense experience of psychedelics and more easily retain and maintain the new neural pathways that are created.
2: The software
Psychedelic sessions: This is the ‘hard reset’ and installation of a new operating system. Psychedelics such as psilocybin and LSD create a period of increased neuroplasticity and this makes the brain malleable. Rigid thought patterns (outdated software) are temporarily disrupted, giving you new perspectives and insights. It is an opportunity to overwrite the ‘programming’ that no longer serves you with new software and drivers.
3: New configuration
After the reset, guidance is helpful. Psychologists are the ‘software engineers’ who help you install and configure. They help the client process the insights from the session, understand trauma and integrate the new ‘software’ (new patterns of thinking and behaviour) into everyday life in a sustainable way. Without this integration, the reset would be temporary and the new insights quickly diluted.
4: The user manual
The lifestyle advice we give as ‘personal trainers’ for your computing. They make sure you use the new software correctly, that you continue to maintain your hardware with good habits, and that you learn how to manage your system efficiently yourself. This will prevent you from falling back into old patterns and ensure a sustainable improvement in your well-being.
Conclusion: a complete treatment plan
By combining the powers of biochemistry, the transformative power of psychedelics, and the crucial role of psychological integration and lifestyle coaching, we can offer a better and holistic way of psychedelic therapy. Going beyond symptom relief, we continue to focus on profound, fundamental mental health improvement.
It is no longer either hardware or software. The most effective and sustainable solution lies in an integrated approach that addresses all aspects of our complex “human computer”. This is not a ‘quick fix’, but an investment in a fully optimised and resilient system for life.
Would you like to take advantage of the most comprehensive approach to psychedelic sessions? Fill in the intake to see if you can do a session with us or read more about us or the approach via the links below.
Different psychedelic sessions
At Triptherapie, we work with various legal forms of psychedelics, each with unique effects and specific uses. The most commonly used substance is psilocybin, offered in the form of magic truffles. We also offer Psiloflora, a potent combination of passion flower and magic truffles, which provides a soothing, more heart-focused experience. For sessions with LSD or ketamine, we use legal analogues that are similar in effect upon request. Each substance has its own character and therapeutic potential, allowing us to deploy the most appropriate option depending on your needs.
