Why are psychedelics used to treat addiction?
Using psychedelics to treat addiction may seem counterintuitive, as psychedelics like magic mushrooms are considered drugs. However, psychedelics like magic mushrooms and truffles are not physically addictive; quite the opposite. With prolonged use of psychedelics, tolerance develops, rendering further use ineffective. The general effect of psychedelic use is that it can induce a sense of satisfaction. It is precisely this satisfaction that prevents the urge for more and more of an addictive substance or action.
The ego wants more and more
The ego is a brain mechanism designed to protect the individual, enable its survival and reproduction. It creates a separation between the individual and the rest of the universe. Sometimes the ego is stimulated to such an extent that it becomes too strong. Personal interests then need to be continuously nurtured. The neurotransmitter dopamine plays a major role in this, as dopamine can be seen as a "personal feel-good" hormone. It temporarily produces a good feeling, followed by emptiness. However, the pursuit of personal satisfaction leads to separation and loneliness, while loneliness is precisely what triggers addiction. Loneliness can create a bond with the addiction. Naturally, our society and capitalism play a major role in shaping individualism by capitalizing on ideas that enhance prestige.
The addictions that increase dopamine
Here are a few examples of addictions in which dopamine and/or loneliness play a major role.
- Alcoholism
- Drug addiction (cocaine, heroin, MDMA, etc.)
- Food addiction
- Gaming addiction
- Gambling addiction
- Porn addiction
- Smoking addiction
- Social media
A treatment in combination with psychedelics
Here at trip therapy, we use healthy psychedelics, nutrition, supplements, exercise, and other methods to treat addiction. Combining these components ensures the best results. A large part of our service is the psychedelic session. We use psychedelics to treat addiction because, in higher doses, psychedelics like magic truffles can quiet the ego. This restores connection with the environment, can lead to greater satisfaction, and reduces the need for addictive behavior. It's essentially a kickstart to behavior change. The greatest strength lies in being able to respond to impulses for addictive behavior with healthy choices. Beyond these characteristics, insights gained during a psychedelic session can provide additional support for change.
Watch the following TEDx talk to learn more about how dopamine is involved in addictive behavior.
The dopamine detox
For addiction problems, we often use dopamine detox. This is a period of several days preceding the psychedelic session during which behaviors that can support addiction are avoided. We do this to achieve a proper neurotransmitter balance before the psychedelic session and to reduce the dependence on dopamine.
Read more about the dopamine detox